Laser processing system with a display device

ABSTRACT

A method of setting processing data for a computer-assisted laser processing apparatus is disclosed, along with a system for setting a laser processing data. The method comprises a function of setting a three-dimensional profile of a object and a processing pattern as processing conditions, a function of generating processing data representing the processing conditions for the object, and a function of visually displaying a two dimensional representation of the processing data on a display screen and a function of setting a three-dimensional profile of a object and a processing pattern as processing conditions, wherein it is enabled to set the three-dimensional profile and the processing pattern while displaying the object in two dimensions on the display screen disposed within a processing zone.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/828,505, filed Jul. 26, 2007 (now allowed), which in turn claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-204777, filed Jul.27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of and a system for settingprocessing conditions of a laser processing system such as a lasermarker which performs processing such as printing or marking includingcharacters, symbols and graphics on work with a laser beam, a computerprogram for setting processing conditions for a laser processing system,a computer-readable recording medium or device on which laser processingconditions are recorded.

2. Description of Related Art

A laser processing system scans a given scan field of a subject surfaceof works (work surfaces) such as components and finished products with alaser beam to apply processing, such as printing and marking ofcharacters, symbols and/or graphics, to the work surfaces. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose of providing a brief description of aconfiguration of a laser processing system by way of example, the laserprocessing system comprises a laser control unit 1, a laser output unit2 and an input unit 3. Excitation light generated by a laser excitationdevice 6 of the laser control unit 1 excites a laser medium 8 of a laseroscillator 50 of the laser output unit 2. A laser beam L emanating fromthe laser medium 8 is expanded in beam diameter by a beam expander 53and reflected and directed toward a scanning means by a reflectionmirror. A two dimensional scanning means 9 deflects the laser beam L soas to scan a work Win a given scan field, thereby processing, e.g.marking or printing, the work W.

There has been known a laser processing system which is provided with atwo dimensional scanning device 9 as shown in FIG. 2. The scanningdevice 9 comprises a pair of galvanic mirrors which form an X-axisscanner 14 a and a Y-axis scanner 14 b, and a pair of galvanic motors 51a and 51 b to which the galvanic mirrors are mounted for rotation. TheX-axis scanner 14 a and the Y-axis scanner 14 b are arranged so thattheir axes of rotation perpendicularly intersecting with each other anddeflect an incoming laser beam so as to scan a scan field in X and Ydirections perpendicularly intersect with each other. The scanningdevice 9 is provided with focusing means such as an fΘ lens system forfocusing the laser beam in a given scan field.

There has been known a laser processing system which is provided with athree-dimensional scanning device 14 as shown in FIG. 3. The scanningdevice 14 comprises a Z-axis scanner comprising a motor driven lenssystem capable of varying its focal distance which is referred to as aworking distance in a direction of height of the work.

It is usual to use a computer program in order to create threedimensional laser processing data for implementation of threedimensional processing, such as three dimensional printing, by the laserprocessing system. However, because the three dimensional processingdata requires a greater number of parameters regarding print locationsas compared with two dimensional processing data, it is hard for usersexperienced only in creating two-dimensional laser processing data tocreate three dimensional processing data by use of the laser processingdata setting program just as they intended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a methodof and a laser processing condition setting system, and a laserprocessing system which enables to check up on whether settings areproperly specified to let a processing pattern fall within a processablesurface area of a work.

The foregoing objects and features of the present invention areaccomplished by a laser processing system for processing a work surfacewithin a working area with a predetermined processing pattern by the useof a laser beam. The laser processing system comprises laser generatingmeans for generating a laser beam, scanning means for scanning a worksurface with the laser bean within a scanning area, control means forcontrolling the a laser generating means and the scanning means so as toapply the laser processing to the work surface according to laserprocessing conditions, processing condition setting means for settingthe laser processing conditions by specifying a three-dimensionalprofile of the work surface and a processing pattern, data generatingmeans for generating laser processing data for the work surfaceaccording to the laser processing conditions; and display means fordisplaying and editing a representation of the laser processing data intwo dimensions, wherein the scanning means comprises a beam expander forvarying a distance at which the laser beam generated by the lasergenerating means is focused, a first scanner for deflecting the laserbeam coming from the beam expander in a first direction to scan the worksurface within the scanning area in the first direction, and a secondscanner for deflecting the laser beam reflected by the first scanner ina second direction perpendicular to the first direction to scan the worksurface within the scanning area in the second direction, and theprocessing condition setting means is enabled to set a three dimensionalprofile of the work surface and the processing pattern while the worksurface is displayed in two dimensions in the display means.

The display means may be capable of changing a display of the worksurface from a two dimensional display to a three dimensional display,displaying a display screen or window for displaying the work surface inthree dimensions while displaying the work surface in two dimensionstherein, or displays the work surface in two dimensions in a scanningplane therein. Further, the display means is capable of displaying thework surface in three dimensions selectively in an X-Y coordinate plane,a Y-Z coordinate plane and a Z-X coordinate plane.

The laser processing system may comprise switching means for switchingthe display means between a three dimensional edit mode in which threedimensional processing data is edited and a two dimensional edit mode inwhich three dimensional processing data is exclusively edited. The twodimensional edit mode is preferably chosen by default when the laserprocessing system is activated. Further, the laser processing system maycomprises defective area detection means for detecting a defective worksurface area of the work surface that is only defectively processable orunprocessable with the laser beam under the printing conditions bymaking a calculation based on the three-dimensional profile of the worksurface and an angle at which the laser beam is expected to impinge ontothe work surface, and warning means for hiding the processing patternspecified by the processing condition setting means on the display meanswhen the processing pattern cuts across at least partly the defectivework surface area.

According to another embodiment, a data setting system for settingprocessing data based on a processing pattern with which a laserprocessing system processes a work surface within a working area with alaser beam comprises processing condition setting means for setting thelaser processing conditions by specifying a three-dimensional profile ofthe work surface and a processing pattern, data generating means forgenerating laser processing data for the work surface according to thelaser processing conditions, and display means for displaying andediting a representation of the laser processing data in two dimensions,wherein the processing condition setting means is enabled to set a threedimensional profile of the work surface and the processing pattern whilethe work surface is displayed in two dimensions in the display means.

According to another embodiment, a method of setting laser processingdata according to a processing pattern based on which a laser processingsystem processes a work surface within a working area with theprocessing pattern by the use of a laser beam comprises the steps ofdisplaying a work surface within a working area in two dimensions in adisplay screen three dimensional, setting a three-dimensional profile ofthe work surface and a processing pattern as the laser processingconditions while displaying the work surface in two dimensions in thedisplay screen, and displaying the work surface in three dimensions byeither way of switching the work displayed in the display screen from atwo dimensional representation to a three dimensional representation anddisplaying a three dimensional display screen for displaying the worksurface in three dimensions in the display screen while displaying thework surface in two dimensions in the display screen.

According to another embodiment, a computer program for setting laserprocessing data according to a processing pattern based on which a laserprocessing system processes a work surface within a working area withthe processing pattern by the use of a laser beam comprises a functionof displaying a work surface within a working area in two dimensions ina display screen, a function of setting a three-dimensional profile ofthe work surface and a processing pattern as the laser processingconditions while displaying the work surface in two dimensions in thedisplay screen, and a function of displaying the work surface in threedimensions by either way of switching the work displayed in the displayscreen from a two dimensional representation to a three dimensionalrepresentation and displaying a three dimensional display screen fordisplaying the work surface in three dimensions in the display screenwhile displaying the work surface in two dimensions in the displayscreen.

The computer-readable storage medium or a storage device carries acomputer program as set forth above stored therein. Thecomputer-readable storage medium includes magnetic disks such as CD-ROM,CD-R, CD-RW, a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R,DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, Blue-ray, (trade name), FD and DVD; opticaldisks, magnetic optical disks, semiconductor memories and other mediumcapable of storing a computer program. The program includes a programwhich is downloaded through network communications such as an internet,as well as a program stored on the storage medium. The storage mediumincludes dedicated or multipurpose equipments in which the computerprogram is mounted in a viable state in the form of software orfirmware. Processing and functions of the computer program may beexecuted by program software which a computer executes The functions mayfurther be realized by hardware such as a predetermined gate array suchas FPGA and ASIC or in the mixed form of program software and a partialhardware module which realizes hardware partially.

According to still another embodiment, a computer program productdirectly loadable into an internal memory of a digital computer orstored on a computer-usable medium or a computer-readable medium has thecomputer program as set forth above stored thereon.

According to a further embodiment, a computer program means for settinglaser processing data according to a processing pattern based on which alaser processing system processes a work surface within a working areawith the processing pattern by the use of a laser beam comprises meansfor performing a function of displaying a work surface within a workingarea in two dimensions in a display screen, means for performing afunction of setting a three-dimensional profile of the work surface anda processing pattern as the laser processing conditions while displayingthe work surface in two dimensions in the display screen, and means forperforming a function of displaying the work surface in three dimensionsby either way of switching the work displayed in the display screen froma two dimensional representation to a three dimensional representationand displaying a three dimensional display screen for displaying thework surface in three dimensions in the display screen while displayingthe work surface in two dimensions in the display screen.

The laser processing data setting system allows users to editthree-dimensional laser processing data in two dimensions. As aconsequence, the laser processing data setting system enables even userswho are unfamiliar with three-dimensional data editing to achievecomplicated of processing data setting with a three dimensionalrepresentation. Since the display means can be changed between a twodimensional display mode and a three dimensional display mode, orotherwise, can coincidentally display a two dimensional representationand a three dimensional representation of the processing data asappropriate, it is facilitated to perform confirmatory operationaccording to data setting operation.

Furthermore, a two dimensional representation of the processing data isdisplayed in plane, namely an X-Y plane, Y-Z plane and Z-X plane, asviewed from a view point or a laser irradiation source, it can berecognized how a processing pattern deforms or distorts. For example, inthe case where a barcode is printed on a cylindrical or columnar worksurface, it is easily recognized how narrow spaces distort. A threedimensional representation of the processing data can be quickly changedto a display in a desired plane. This facilitates confirmatory operationof a view point. The exclusive edit mode which excludes users from threedimensional data editing and is enabled by default upon activation ofthe laser processing data setting system is convenient for users who areunfamiliar with three-dimensional data editing.

Detection of a warning about a defective work surface area of a work andsurface facilitates confirmatory operation as to whether a processingpattern falls within a processable work surface area as desired. Theconfirmatory operation which is made even during processing data settingsaves users the trouble of setting processing data and enables users toefficiently achieve processing data setting, so that a user-friendlyenvironment for processing data setting is realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present inventionwill be clearly understood from the following detailed description whenreading with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein same orsimilar parts or mechanisms are denoted by the same reference numeralsthroughout the drawings and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a laser processingsystem according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a layout of an X-Y scanner;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a layout of X-axis, Y-axis andZ-axis scanners;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an internal arrangement of a laserexcitation unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a marking head including the laser beamscanner of a laser marking system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the marking head;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the marking head;

FIG. 8A is an illustration showing a scan line of a laser beam withrespect to a work surface;

FIG. 8B is an illustration showing a corrected scan line of a laser beamwith respect to a work surface;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the laser beam scanner with a laser beamadjusted at a long focal distance;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the laser beam scanner with a laser beamadjusted at a short focal distance;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and side views of the Z-axis scanner,respectively;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a laser marker systemcapable of printing in three dimensions;

FIG. 13A is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system architectureof a laser processing data setting system;

FIG. 13B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a variation of thesystem architecture shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13C is a schematic block diagram illustrating another variation ofthe system architecture shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14 is a photographic illustration showing a user interface window,namely an edit display window, of a laser processing data settingprogram which displays an object in a 2D edit mode;

FIG. 15 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window whichdisplays three print blocks;

FIG. 16 is a photographic illustration of an edit display window inwhich a broken line is chosen as operation of a processing apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a photographic illustration of an edit display window inwhich a counterclockwise circle/ellipse is chosen as operation of aprocessing apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window shownin FIG. 67 which is changed to a 3D edit mode;

FIG. 19 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forspecifying a data file;

FIG. 20 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forspecifying a print pattern;

FIG. 21 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forlaying out print blocks;

FIG. 22 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window fordisplaying a print block list;

FIG. 23 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a plurality of print blocks which are subject to batchtransformation;

FIG. 24 is a photographic illustration showing a 3D profile batchtransformation dialog box;

FIG. 25 is a photographic illustration showing a edit display window inwhich print blocks are batch transformed according to settings specifiedin the 3D profile batch transformation dialog box shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a plurality of print blocks are displayed I two dimensions;

FIG. 27 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich the print blocks shown in FIG. 57 are displayed in threedimensions;

FIG. 28 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich print blocks are displayed in two dimensions;

FIG. 29 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich print patterns are unified into a block by the use of a mouse;

FIG. 30 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich print blocks are grouped by the use of a pop-up menu;

FIG. 31 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a print block is specified;

FIG. 32 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich the print block shown in FIG. 31 is displayed in three dimensions;

FIG. 33 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a plurality of print blocks separated away from one another aregrouped;

FIG. 34 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a plurality of print blocks are grouped;

FIG. 35 is a photographic illustration showing a print pattern when aninclined surface is specified as a print surface;

FIG. 36 a photographic illustration showing the inclined surfacespecified as a print surface in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a photographic illustration of the edit display windowswitched to a 3D edit mode from a 2D edit mode shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 38 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a columnar work is selected and displayed;

FIG. 39 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forlaying out print blocks;

FIG. 40 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which a work is displayed as viewed obliquely fromabove;

FIG. 41 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which a work is displayed as viewed from rear;

FIG. 42 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode which is scrolled left;

FIG. 43 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode which is scrolled right;

FIG. 44 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode which is scrolled up;

FIG. 45 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which an X-Y coordinate plane is displayed;

FIG. 46 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which a Y-Z coordinate plane is displayed;

FIG. 47 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which a Z-X coordinate plane is displayed;

FIG. 48 is a photographic illustration showing a three-dimensionalviewer on which a work is displayed in three dimensions;

FIG. 49 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forentering information about a two-dimensional print pattern;

FIG. 50 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a ZMAP data file is specified;

FIG. 51 is a photographic illustration showing a ZMAP data fileselection window;

FIG. 52 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window when aZMAP data file is specified;

FIG. 53 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which a work surface is displayed in three dimensions;

FIG. 54 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D view mode in which three dimensional profile data defined by the ZMAPdata is displayed on a work surface in three dimensions;

FIG. 55 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window forediting ZMAP data;

FIG. 56 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich an STL data file is opened;

FIG. 57 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is moved in an X-axisdirection;

FIG. 58 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich the representation of three dimensional data is viewed in adifferent view point;

FIG. 59 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is moved to a positiveside in a Z-axis direction;

FIG. 60 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is moved to a negativeside in a Z-axis direction;

FIG. 61 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is moved in a Y-axisdirection;

FIG. 62 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is rotated around anX-axis;

FIG. 63 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is rotated around aY-axis;

FIG. 64 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation of three dimensional data is rotated around aZ-axis;

FIG. 65 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich boundary representations are displayed to indicate a printablezone in an X direction;

FIG. 66 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich boundary representations are displayed to indicate a printablezone in a Y direction;

FIG. 67 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich boundary representations are displayed to indicate a printablezone in a Z direction;

FIG. 68 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation ZMAP data to which the STL data shown in FIG. 58is converted;

FIG. 69 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a representation ZMAP data to which the STL data shown in FIG. 62is converted;

FIG. 70 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a print pattern is transformed with the ZMAP data;

FIG. 71 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D edit mode in which a unprintable area of a work is displayed:

FIG. 72 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D edit mode shown in FIG. 71 in which a print pattern adjusted in printstart angle is displayed;

FIG. 73 is a photographic illustration showing printing a laserparameter setting dialog box;

FIG. 74 is a photographic illustration showing a printable print blockon a work;

FIG. 75 is a photographic illustration showing a user specified printpattern;

FIG. 76 is a photographic illustration showing a print pattern and apattern size;

FIG. 77 is a photographic illustration showing a print pattern cuttingacross a defective work surface area;

FIG. 78 is a photographic illustration showing a warning message on ascreen;

FIG. 79 is a photographic illustration showing a guidance message on ascreen; and

FIG. 80 is a perspective illustration showing a method of detecting adefective processable area by defective area detection means:

FIG. 81 is a photographic illustration showing an environmentconfiguration window in which a 3D display dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 82 is a photographic illustration showing an environmentconfiguration window in which a 3D coloring dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 83 is a photographic illustration showing an environmentconfiguration window in which a 2D display dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 84 is a photographic illustration showing an environmentconfiguration window in which a 2D coloring dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 85 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window in a3D edit mode shown in FIG. 36 in which a work is changed in position

FIG. 86 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of creating a processingpattern by specifying processing conditions;

FIG. 87A is a perspective illustration explaining two dimensionalprinting of a moving work;

FIG. 87B is a plane illustration explaining two dimensional printing ofa moving work;

FIG. 88 is a photographic illustration showing a line setting window inwhich movement/direction dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 89 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a processing parameter setting dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 90A is an illustration showing a processed work section of a workon which a sloping groove is engraved;

FIG. 90B shows a processed work surface on which a logo is printed inbrushstroke;

FIG. 91 is a photographic illustration of the edit display window inwhich a defocus distance setting dialog box is chosen;

FIG. 92 is a table listing items which are selectively specified inlayout adjustment;

FIGS. 93A and 93B are illustrations for demonstrating a correlation of aZ coordinate to X and Y coordinates with regard to printing aquadrangular pyramidal work;

FIGS. 94A and 94B are illustrations for demonstrating a trackingfunction of a Z-axis scanner;

FIG. 95 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence of Z-axis scannertracking;

FIGS. 96A and 96B are illustrations for demonstrating a trackingfunction of a Z-axis scanner while laser irradiation is enabled; and

FIGS. 97A and 97B are illustrations for demonstrating a trackingfunction of a Z-axis scanner while laser irradiation is disabled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be concretely described with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Although the following description isdirected to a method of and a system for setting processing conditionsof a laser processing system such as a laser marker which performsprocessing such as printing or marking including characters, symbols andgraphics on work with a laser beam, a computer program for settingprocessing conditions for a laser processing system, a computer-readablerecording medium or device on which laser processing conditions arerecorded, nevertheless, the it should be appreciated that the presentinvention has broader applications and is not limited to this particularembodiments.

Further, in the following description, various changes and modificationsmay be made in form, size, relative arrangement of constituentcomponents and means of the described system and apparatus unlessotherwise specified distinctively. It is intended that all mattercontained in the description and as shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense unlessotherwise specified distinctively. The same or similar components ormeans of the described system and apparatus in the accompanying drawingsare referred by the same names and denoted by the same or similarreference numerals. Some components and means of the described systemand apparatus are illustrated with exaggeration for clear understandingin the accompanying drawings. Further, some components and means of thedescribed system and apparatus may be formed in the form of an integralpart, or vice versa.

In the following description, “connection” of the laser processingsystem to a computer, a printer, external memory devices and otherperipheral equipments which are used for operating, controlling,inputting and outputting information or data to and displayinginformation or data on the laser processing apparatus is made by meansof electrical communication through wired connection such as serialconnection, parallel connection or a network. Examples of the serialconnection include IEEE1394, RS-232×, RS-422, RS-423, RS-485, USB, PS2and the like, examples of the network includes 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX,1000BASE-T and the like. The connection is not limited to wiredconnection and may be of wireless connection, including a wireless LANsuch as IEEE802, 1x and OFDM, and radio frequency communication,infrared communication or optical communication such as Bluetooth(trademark). The memory device for storing data of an object andsettings of the system or apparatus may be any processor-readablemedium, including but not limited to a memory card, a magnetic disk, anoptical disk, a magnetic optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc. andany combination of two or more of the foregoing.

Although a laser marker is exemplified as a typical laser processingsystem, nevertheless, embodiments of the present invention are suitablefor use on all types of laser-assisted processing systems or apparatusincluding laser oscillators, laser processing devices for boring,marking, trimming, scribing, surface finishing, light source devicessuch as a light source for read and write of high-density optical disksuch as DVD and Blue-ray (trademark), a light source for a laserprinter, an illumination lit source, a light source for a displayequipment, and various medical equipments. Further, in the followingembodiment, the laser marker is described as used for printing. However,the present invention is suitable for use on all types of laser-assistedprocessing, including fusion or exfoliation of a subject surface,surface oxidization, surface shaving, discoloring and the like.

As utilized hereinafter, the term “printing” shall mean and refer toprinting or marking of characters, symbols and graphics, and besides anyprocessing described above.

The term “processing pattern” or “print pattern” as used herein shallmean and refer to various “characters” such as a variety of charactersand numerical characters, and “symbols” such as signs, pictograms,icons, logos, barcodes, two-dimensional codes and combinations of two ormore of them, and besides line drawings. In particular, the term“character” and “symbol” as used herein shall mean and refer tooptically readable characters and symbols. Examples of thetwo-dimensional code, stack type or matrix type, include a QR code, amicro QR code, a data matrix or data code, a Veri code, an Aztec code,PDF417, a Maxi code, a composite code, an RSS (Reduced Space Symbology)code such as RSS14, RSS Stacked, RSS Limited, RSS Expanded, etc. Thecomposite code, which is a composition of a bar code and a stack typetwo dimensional code, may be of any type having EAN/UPC (WAN-13, EAN-8,UPC-A, UPC-E), EAN/UPC128 or a RSS family (RS514, RSS Limited, RSSExpanded) as a base barcode. As additional code may be one of twodimensional symbols, including MicroPDF417 and PDF417. In the followingexample, a combination of a barcode and a micro QR code which is a twodimensional matrix code is employed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in detail, and in particular, toFIG. 1 showing a laser processing system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, the laser processing system 100comprises a laser control unit 1, a laser output unit 2 and an inputunit 3. The input unit 3 is connected to the laser control unit 1, andinformation necessary to set job control data of the laser output unit 2is entered via input unit 3 and sent to the laser control unit 1. Thesetting information includes operating conditions of the laser outputunit 2, marking job information such as a print pattern to be printed ona work surface and the like. The input unit 3 is a console including akeyboard and a mouse. In order to check up on settings, a display unit82 such as an LCD device or a CRT may be provided to display the settinginformation entered through the input unit 3 for checking. A touch panelis available for a terminal device serving both as an input device and adisplay.

The laser control unit 1 comprises at least a controller 4, a memorydevice 5, a laser excitation unit 6 and a power source 7. The data ofsettings are inputted via the input unit 3, sent to the controller 4 andare stored in a data storage medium of the memory device 5. Thecontroller 4 reads out data representing the settings from the datastorage medium of the memory device 5 as needed to drive the laserexcitation unit 6 for excitation of a laser medium 8, such as a laserrod, of the laser output unit 2 according to control signalsrepresenting a processing pattern such as a mark or a text to beprinted. The data storage medium may be a built-in type memory,preferably a semiconductor memory such as RAM or ROM. The storage mediummay be of a removable type such as a semiconductor memory card includinga PC card and a SD card or a memory card including a hard disc. When thememory device 5 comprises a memory card which can be easily rewritten byan external equipment such as a computer, data setting is performedwithout connecting the input unit 3 to the control unit 1 by writing thecontents set by a computer in the memory card and placing the memorycard in the control unit 1. The laser processing system 100 is quiteeasily configured with the memory card placed in the memory device 5without keying in data for desired job control through the input unit 3.Write or rewrite of data in the memory card can be easily carried out bythe use of an external equipment such as a computer. Typically, asemiconductor memory is employed because of high data read/write rate,vibration-proof structure and prevention of data disappearance due to acrush.

The controller 4 provides scan signals for driving a scanner 9 of thelaser output unit 2 through a laser excitation device 6 so as to scan awork surface with a laser beam L. Specifically, the power source 7,which is a constant voltage power source, supplies a specified constantvoltage to the laser excitation device 6. The scan signals forcontrolling a marking or print job of the laser output unit 2 comprisepulse width modulation (PWM) signals corresponding to pulse widths ofthe laser beam. In this instance, the intensity of laser beam depends ona duty ratio, or on both a frequency and a scanning rate, according to afrequency of the PMW.

As specifically shown in FIG. 4 by way of example, the laser excitationdevice 6 comprises a laser excitation light source 10 such as asemiconductor laser or a lamp and a focusing lens system (schematicallydepicted by a single lens) 11 fixedly installed in a casing 12. Thiscasing 12, which is made of a metal having good thermal condition suchas brass, effectively releases heat generated by the laser excitationlight source 10. The laser excitation light source 10 comprises a laserdiode array made up of a plurality of laser diodes 10 a arranged in astraight mw. Laser beams L emanating from the respective laser diodes 10a are focused on an incident end of an optical fiber cable 13 by thefocusing lens system 11 and exit as an excitation beam from the opticalfiber cable 13. The optical fiber cable 13 is optically connected to thelaser medium 8 directly or through a coupling fiber and (not shown).

The laser output unit 2 includes a laser oscillator schematically shownby reference numeral 50 for exciting the laser medium 8 and causing itto oscillate to generate a laser beam L in what is called an end-pumpingexcitation method, a scanner 9 for scanning a work surface area threedimensionally which will be described in detail in connection with FIGS.5 to 7 later, and a drive circuit 52 for driving the scanner 9. Thescanning device 14 comprises X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis scanners 14 a, 14b and 14 c which is built in a beam expander 53 and an fΘ lens (notshown). The laser oscillator 50 comprises, in addition to the lasermedium 8, an output mirror and a total reflection mirror oppositelydisposed at a specified distance, an aperture disposed between thesemirrors and a Q-switching cell, all of which are arranged in a givenpath of an induced emission light. The induced emission light from thelaser medium 8 is amplified by multiple reflections between the outputmirror and the total reflection mirror, switched at a short cycle,selected in mode by the aperture, and then exits as a laser beam L fromthe laser oscillator 50 through the output mirror. The laser oscillator50 is known in various forms and may take any form well known in theart. The laser media 8 used in this embodiment is an Nd:YVO₄ solid statelaser rod which has absorption spectra whose central wavelength is 809nm. In order to excite the Nd—YVO₄ solid state laser rod, the laserdiodes 10 a are adjusted to emit a laser beam L at a wavelength of 809nm. Solid state laser mediums available for the laser medium 8 include arare earth-doped YAG, LiSrF, LiCaF, YLF, NAB, KNP, LNP, NYAB, NPP, GGGand the like. It is practicable to convert a wavelength of the laserbeam from the solid state laser medium by the use of a wavelengthconversion element in combination with the solid state laser medium. Afiber laser in which a fiber is employed for the laser medium in placeof a bulk may be applied too. Further, the laser medium 8 is not boundedby a solid state laser medium and it is practicable to use a gas lasersuch as a carbon dioxide gas laser. It is also practicable to excludethe laser medium 8 by the use of a wavelength conversion element forconverting a wavelength of the laser diode 10 a of the laser excitationlight source 10. Available examples of the wavelength conversion elementinclude KTP(KTiPO₄); organic non-linear optical media and inorganicnon-linear optical media such as KN(KNbO₃), KAP(KASpO₄), BBO and LBO;and bulk type polarizing-inverting elements such as LiNbO₃, PPLN(Periodically Polled Lithium Niobate), LiTaO₃ and the like. Further, itis allowed to use a laser excitation semiconductor laser of anup-conversion type using a fluoride fiber doped with a rare earth suchas Ho, Er, Tm, Sm, Nd and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the scanning 14 comprises an X-axis scanner14 a, a Y-axis scanner 14 b and a Z-axis scanner 14 c built in a beamexpander 53. The beam expander 53 has an optical axis coaxial with thelaser beam L emanating from the laser medium 8. The X-axis scanner 14 cand the Y-axis scanner 14 b have scanning directions perpendicular toeach other. The Z-axis scanner 14 c has a scanning directionperpendicular to both scanning directions of the X-axis scanner 14 c andthe Y-axis scanner 14 b. The X-axis scanner 14 c and the Y-axis scanner14 b scan a working area WS in two dimensions with the laser beam Lemanating from the laser medium 8. The Z-axis scanner 14 c scans thework surface area WS in an axial direction with the laser beam L byvarying a working distance or focal distance of the laser beam L throughthe beam expander 53. In this instance, it goes without saying that theX-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis scanner can function in the samemanner if replaced one another. In FIGS. 5 through 7, an fΘ lens, whichis a focusing lens system, is not shown.

Because the laser processing system focuses a laser beam L on a workingplane by the use of the second mirror, i.e. the Y-axis scanner, it isusual to dispose an fΘ lens between the second mirror and the workingplane so as thereby to make Z-directional correction. Specifically, thefΘ lens focuses the laser beam L always onto a plane work surface. Asshown in FIG. 8A, in the case where the laser beam L L is adjusted tofocus on a plane surface in plane with the work surface WM, as anincident angle of the laser beam L incident upon the work surface WMbecomes smaller, a focused spot of the laser beam L becomes remote fromthe work surface WM as shown by a sign L′, resulting in a decreaseprocessing accuracy. For the grounds, the fΘ lens is used toincreasingly vary an offset of the focused spot of the laser beam L fromthe work surface (i.e. a distance of the focused spot of the laser beamL from the work surface) according to the incident angle upon the worksurface WM as shown in FIG. 8B. In other words, the laser beam L isadjusted to focus on a convex surface WM′ by the fΘ lens so as therebyto keep the focused spot of the laser beam L on the work surface WM.

In the case where a laser marker is required to focus a laser beam Lwith a spot of a diameter less than 50 μm, it is preferred to use suchan fΘ lens. On the other hand, in the case where a laser marker isrequired to focus a laser beam L with a spot of a diameter greater than50 μm, which is ordinarily about 100 μm, a correction in the Z-directionis performed by the expander in place of an fΘ lens. In this way, the fΘlens can be omitted. On the other hand, a spot of a diameter less than50 μm, the Z-axis scanner is not always sufficiently effective to adjusta focal point, the use of an fΘ lens is essential.

The scanning device 14 of this embodiment has three operative modes,namely a small spot scan mode in which the fΘ lens is used, a standardspot scan mode in which the Z-axis scanner is used in place of the fΘlens and a wide spot scan mode in which Z-axis scanner is used in placethe fΘ lens. In the standard and wide spot scan modes, the expander ofthe Z-axis scanner 14 c correctively varies a foal distance so as tokeep a focused spot on the work surface. That is, the offset of focusedspot, which is a Z coordinate, depends unconditionally on X and Ycoordinates. Therefore, the laser spot is always focused on a worksurface by moving the Z-axis scanner so as to adjust a focused spot to aZ coordinate correlated with X-axis and Y-axis coordinates. Thecorrelation data is stored in the memory 5A (see FIG. 13A), orotherwise, may be stored in and transferred from the memory device 5 ofthe laser control unit 1 of the laser processing system 100. In thisway, since the focused spot of the laser beam L moves in the Z-axisdirection according to movements in the X-axis and the Y-axis direction,it is enabled to expose a work surface to a focused spot of the laserbeam L uniformly in the working zone WS.

Each of the scanners 14 a, 14 b and 14 c is made up of a galvanometermirror comprising a total reflection mirror and a motor for rotating areflective surface about an axis of a rotary shaft of the motor. Thescanners 14 a, 4 b, 14 c are provided with a rotational position sensorfor detecting a rotational position of a rotary shaft of the motor andproviding a signal representing a rotational position of the rotaryshaft. The scanner drive circuit 52 (see FIG. 1) drives the X-axis,Y-axis and Z-axis scanners 14 a, 14 b and 14 c according to controlsignals provided by the controller 4 of the laser control unit 1. Forexample, the scanner drive circuit 52 controls drive currents to therespective scanners 14 a, 14 b and 14 c according to control signalsprovided by the controller 4 of the laser control unit 1. Further, thescanner drive circuit 52 has a function of adjusting a time rate ofrotational angle of the scanner with respect to the control signal. Thisadjustment function can be embodied by a semiconductor element such as avariable resistor operative to change parameters for the scanner drivecircuit 52.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the Z-axis scanner 14 c is accompanied bythe beam expander 53 which varies a focal length so as to adjust a spotsize of the laser beam L on a given work surface area as small aspossible. The expander 53, which comprises two lenses or lens groups atincident and exit sides, respectively, varies its focal length bychanging a relative axial distance between the two lenses. In otherwords, the beam expander 53 varies a focal distance (which ishereinafter referred to as a working distance in some cases) at which aminimum size of the beam spot of laser beam L is formed on a given worksurface. In order to effectively vary the focal distance, the beamexpander 53 is disposed before the galvanometer mirror of the Z-axisscanner 14 c as shown in FIG. 5. In order to provide a more specificexplanation, reference is made to FIGS. 9 to 11. As shown, the Z-axisscanner 14 c includes a variable-focal length lens system comprising amovable lens or lens group 16 at an incident side and a stationary lensor lens group 18 at an exit side. The movable lens 16 is axially movedback and forth by a driving mechanism including a galvanometer (notshown). The drive mechanism includes a movable element for holding thelens 16 and a coil and magnet assembly for causing axial movement of themovable element. As shown in FIG. 9, when bringing the lenses 16 and 18close to each other, the variable-focal length lens system changes itsfocal length to longer, so as hereby to make a working distance longer.On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when bringing the lenses 16 and18 far away from each other, the variable-focal length lens systemchanges its focal length to shorter, so as hereby to make a workingdistance shorter. In this instance, the stationary lens and the movablelens may be replaced with each other or may be both movable. Thethree-dimensional laser processing system, which is capable ofprocessing in a direction of work height, besides in length and breadth,may employ a manner of moving a focusing lens or a manner of moving alaser output unit or a laser processing head itself, instead of theZ-axis scanner adjustment. Although the lenses 16 and 18 are movablerelatively to each other to vary its focal length, either one of the twolenses 16 and 18 may be fixedly disposed in the path of the laser beamL.

The laser scanner 14 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is provided with a distancepointer. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the laser scanner 14 is providedwith a distance pointer which comprises optical axis alignment meanscomprising a light source 60 for producing a guide beam G and anadjustable beam guide element 62 in the form of a reflective mirror anddistance pointing means comprising a light source 64 for producing apointing beam P and a pointer scanner 4 d in the form of a reflectivemirror formed on the back of the Y-axis scanner 14 b and a stationarymirror 66 for reflecting the pointing beam P toward a scanning area. Thebeam guide element 62 is adjusted so as to bring the guide beam G intoalignment with an optical axis of the laser scanner 14. The distancepointer projects a spot of the pointing beam P on a line along the guidebeam G for indicating a focal point at which a scan laser beam shouldfocus.

Although, in the above embodiment, the laser scanner 14 is enabled toperform three-dimensional processing by the use of a focal length ordistance adjusting mechanism, it may be permitted to move a work tableup and down so as to put a work surface on the work table in a focalplane in which the laser beam is focused. Similarly, the laser scannermay be replaced with a mechanism for moving the work table inX-direction and/or Y-direction. This alteration is suitable for laserprocessing devices for use with a work table in place of a belt conveyersystem.

FIG. 12 shows a three-dimensional laser marking system as a laserprocessing apparatus according to an embodiment. The laser markingsystem comprises at last a laser marking head 150 as a laser outputunit, a control unit 1A connected to and controlling the laser markinghead 150, and a laser processing data setting system 180 connected tothe control unit 1A for data communication with the control unit 1Athrough which three-dimensional laser processing data representing aprint pattern is set to the laser control system 180. In thisembodiment, the laser processing data setting system 180 comprises acomputer on which a three-dimensional laser processing data settingprogram is installed. The laser processing data setting system 180 maybe comprised by a programmable logic controller (PLC) equipped with atouch panel or other specialized hardware, as well as computer. Thelaser processing data setting system 180 may be used as an integratedcontroller for performing the function of laser processing data settingand the function of operation control of a laser processing device suchas the laser marking head. Furthermore, the laser processing datasetting system 180 may be provided separately from the laser processingdevice or may be integrated as a single means with the laser processingdevice. For example, the laser processing data setting system 180 may beprovided in the form of a laser processing data setting circuitincorporated into the laser processing device.

The control unit 1A is further connected to external equipments such asa programmable logic controller (PLC) 190 a, a distance measuring device190 b and an image recognition device 190 c, as well as a photo diode(PD) sensor and other sensors (not shown). The programmable logiccontroller (PLC) 190 a controls the system according to a given sequencelogic. The image recognition device 190 c, which may comprise an imagesensor, detects attributes such as type, position and the like of a workconveyed in a processing line. The distance measuring device 190 b,which may be a displacement pickup 190 b, acquires information about adistance between a work and the marking head 150. This externalequipment is connected to the control unit 1A for data communication.

Referring to FIG. 13A illustrating the architecture of the marking datasetting system 180 for setting laser marking or printing data to performprinting of a planar print pattern in three dimensions as an example ofthe laser processing apparatus, the laser processing data setting system180 comprises an input unit 3 through which information about anintended three-dimensional printing job is entered, an arithmetical andlogic unit 80 for generating laser processing or printing data based theinformation entered through the input unit 3, a display unit 82 fordisplaying a representation of the generated laser printing data, and amemory device 5A for storing the laser printing data. The memory device5A has a reference table 5 a maintaining a plurality of combinations ofprocessing parameters which are correlated with one another. The displayunit 82 includes an object display section 83 for displaying a worksurface of an object in three dimensions and a head display section 84for displaying a laser marking head when displaying a work surface of anobject on the object display section 83. The input unit 3 includes aprocessing condition setting means 3C for inputting printing conditionsnecessary to perform given printing in a desired pattern. Specifically,the processing condition setting means 3C performs the function ofinputting information about a profile of three-dimensional work surfacevia work surface profile input means 3A, the function of inputtinginformation about a process pattern such as a print pattern viaprocessing pattern input means 3B, the function of creating a processblock of a plurality of process patterns for block processing viaprocess block generating means 3F, the function of grouping the blocksestablished by the process block generating means 3F via process blockgrouping means 3J, and the function of adjusting a position of aprocessing pattern on a work surface via position adjusting means 3K.Furthermore, the work surface profile input means 3A performs thefunctions of selectively specifying elemental profiles via elementalprofile specifying means 3 a and the function of importing informationabout three dimensional data representing a profile of a work surfacefrom an external equipment via 3D data input means 3 b. The memorysection 5A, which corresponds to the memory device 5 shown in FIG. 1 andstores data representing the information about a profile ofthree-dimensional work surface, a given process or print pattern,processing patterns and the like inputted through the input unit 3, maycomprise a semiconductor memory, as well as a storage medium such as afixed storage device. The display unit 82 may be exclusively providedfor the three-dimensional laser processing system or may be a monitor ofa computer connected to the three-dimensional laser processing system.

The arithmetical and logic unit 80, which comprises a large-scaleintegrated circuit or an integrated circuit for data processing, has aprocessing data generation means 80K for generating actual processingdata, an initial position setting means 80L for determining an initialend position on a work surface to which a representation of threedimensional processing data is justified on the display unit 82, adefective surface area detection means 80B for detecting a defectivework surface area which is only defectively processable or unprocessableby performing calculations, a highlighting means 801 for displaying awork surface with a defective work surface areas highlighted differentlyfrom a processable work surface area, and a warning means 80J forproviding a warning that a processing pattern is seized with a defectivework surface area even pertly when setting the processing patternthrough the processing condition setting means 3C. If necessary, thearithmetical and logic unit 80 may have a processing condition adjustingmeans 80C for adjusting processing conditions so as to enable laserprocessing to be applied to the defective work surface area andcoordinate conversion means for converting information about a planeprocessing pattern into special three-dimensional special coordinatedata so as to make the processing pattern virtually fit athree-dimensional work surface.

Although, in FIG. 13A, the laser processing data setting system 180 ismade up by dedicated hardware, however, laser processing data settingmay be performed by the use of software. In particular, as shown in FIG.12, a general purpose computer with a laser processing data settingprogram installed therein may be used. Furthermore, although the laserprocessing data setting system 180 and the laser processing apparatus100 are separately provided, they may be integrated as one unit. Theprocessing data generation means 80K is incorporated in the laserprocessing data setting system 180. That is, the function of theprocessing data generation means 80K is realized by a general-purposecomputer with the laser processing data setting program installedtherein which is used as the laser processing data setting system 180.However, as shown in FIG. 13B, processing data generation means 180K maybe incorporated in the control unit 1A of the laser processing system100 in addition to the processing data generation means 80K of the laserprocessing data setting system 180. This functional feature allows bothof the laser processing data setting system 180 and the laser processingsystem 100 to individually generate laser processing data and totransfer, edit and display the laser processing data, respectively. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 13B, the processing data generation means180K of the laser processing system 100 generates laser processing dataand transfer it to the processing data generating means 80K of the laserprocessing data setting system 180 and the display unit 82. Furthermore,as shown in FIG. 13C, it is, of course, practicable to provide only theprocessing data generation means 180K incorporated in the control unit1A of the laser processing system 100.

The following description is directed to a sequence of generating aprint pattern from character information inputted through the processingcondition setting means 3C by means of execution of a laser processingdata setting program. In making explanation to the sequence, referenceis made to FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrating a user interface window by wayof example. In the individual user interface windows, a layout of dialogboxes, buttons, tab keys and the like of the user interface window maybe appropriately changed in location, shape, size, color, pattern and/orthe like. The layout of elements of the window may be changed so as tobe suitable for clear view, easy assessment and easy judgment. Forexample, it is not prevented to use a separate window for detailssetting and/or to open a plurality of windows or dialog boxesincidentally. Operation of buttons and dialog boxes, selection ofcommands and numerals in boxes are made through the input unit 3connected to a computer in which the laser processing data settingprogram is installed. In the following description, the term “press abutton” includes pressing a button on physically direct contact with it,or clicking a button through the input unit. The input/output deviceforming the input unit 3 may be unified with the computer, as well asconnected to the computer through wireless communication or cablecommunication. The input/output device may be any commercially availablepointing device, including a mouse, a keyboard, a slide pad, a trackpoint, a tablet, a joystick, a console, a jog dial, a digitizer, a lightpen, a ten-key keyboard, a touch pad, etc. and may be used not only formanagement of the program, but also for operation of the hardware of thelaser processing apparatus. Furthermore, it can be made to display auser interface window on a touch screen or a touch panel used as ascreen of the display unit 82 so as to enable users to touch the windowphysically with a finger for buttons operation. It can also be made touse a voice input device or other existing devices, individually or incombination.

The laser processing data setting program is designed to editthree-dimensional laser processing data. However, in consideration ofusers who are unfamiliar with three-dimensional data editing, the laserprocessing data setting program may be designed to run in two editmodes, namely a two-dimensional edit mode (2D edit mode) and athree-dimensional edit mode (3D edit mode). The 2D edit mode, which is afool-proof default mode on startup of the laser processing data settingprogram, prevents users not good at 3D data editing from being confused.In this case, as shown for example in FIGS. 14 and 15, a current modeindicator 2D or 3D appear alternately in a current mode indication box270 by pressing an edit mode switch button 272. It is practicable toconfigure the laser processing data setting program so that a defaultedit mode is selectively switched between 2D and 3D edit modes. Thisconfiguration makes it easy for advanced users to select the 3D editmode automatically on startup of the laser processing data settingprogram. On the other hand, the edit mode switch button 272 is markedwith 3D meaning that a current window is changeable to the 3D edit modewhen the current window is in the 2D edit mode or 2D meaning that acurrent window is changeable to the 2D edit mode when the current windowis in the 3D edit mode. According to the 2D edit mode which limits orexcludes 3D display and 3D editing of an object, the edit and displaywindow allows users to set and edit two-dimensional processing dataonly, so that the edit and display window is simplified and providesimproved operationality. The 2D edit mode allows users to carry outpreliminary editing of two-dimensional processing data on the editdisplay window in the 3D edit mode, not directly on the 3D edit displaymode which regular users are unaccustomed to, and subsequently to reeditthe two-dimensional processing data on the edit display window in the 3Dedit mode so as thereby to achieve three-dimensional processing data. Inthis way, the edit display window facilities operation and providesimproved operationality.

The edit display windows in the 2D edit mode and the 3D edit mode windowshown in FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively, have almost similar appearances.When the 2D edit mode window appears, a 3D Setting tab 204 i for settinga three-dimensional profile grays out and is disabled. The 3D Settingtab 204 i is enabled upon a switch from the 2D edit mode window (FIG.14) to the 3D edit mode window (FIG. 15). In this way, the userinterface window is switched smoothly from the 2D edit mode of the 3Dedit mode, and vice versa, by putting restrictions on settable items butwithout accompanying significant alterations in appearance.

As just described above, since the user interface window is almost thesame in the 2D edit mode and the 3D edit mode, three-dimensional laserprocessing data can be set up and edited in the same knack as thetwo-dimensional laser processing data. In three-dimensional laserprocessing data setting, a character size and a profile of a printpattern are specified in the 3D mode user interface window the same asthe 2D mode user interface window. Subsequently, information aboutthree-dimensional profile is combined with the settings of thetwo-dimensional profile in order to provide three-dimensional laserprocessing data. In this instance, the user can set actual print datawhile seeing a full-frontal two-dimensional representation of the laserprocessing data as viewed on a side of the laser processing head and athree-dimensional representation of the processing data as viewed in anyspecific direction which are alternately hanged. The user interfacewindows enables users experienced only in two-dimensional laserprocessing data setting and editing to set up and edit three-dimensionallaser processing data in a simple way.

Explaining elements forming the processing condition setting means 3C ofthe user interface window with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the userinterface window includes an edit display window 202 at the left-handside thereof and a Print Pattern input dialog box 204 at the right-handside thereof. The edit display window 202 displays editing print patterndata. The Print Pattern input dialog box 204 includes various buttons,tab keys and areas for specifying printing conditions. Specifically,there are provided in the window setting items selection tabs, includinga Basic Setting tab 204 h, the 3D Setting tab 204 i and a DetailsSetting tab 204 j, which are selectively enabled. In the Print Patterninput dialog box 204 shown in FIG. 14, the Basic Setting tab 204 h isenabled by default, and the remaining tabs 204 i and 204 j are hidden.There are further provided in the Print Pattern input dialog box 204several menus boxes and boxes, namely a Print Category select box 204 a,a Text box 204 b, a Details input dialog box 204 c and a Print Type menubox 204 q. In the Print Type menu 204 a, a print category which the userwants to specify is selected from a pull-down menu including CharacterString, Symbol. Logo and Printer Operation. In FIG. 14, Character Stringis selected by default. In the Character Data menu box 204 d, a printtype which a user wants to specify is selected from a pull-down menuincluding Character, Barcode, 2D Code and RSS-CC (Reduced SpaceSymbology Composite Code). In the Type menu box 204 q, a particular typeis specified from a pull-down menu according to the selected printcategory. The type menu shows various font types when Character isselected; CODE39, ITF, 2 of 5, NW7, JAN, Code 28 and the like whenBarcode is selected; QR code, a micro QR code, Data Matrix and the likefor the 2D code; and RSS-14, CC-A, RSS Stacked, RSS Stacked CCA, RSSLimited, RSS Limited CC-A and the like when RSS-CC is selected. In theText box 204 b, characters which the user wants are typed in. WhenCharacter is selected as a print type in the Character Data menu box 204d, the typed-in characters are printed in a string as they are. On theother hand, when Symbol is selected as a print type in the CharacterData menu box 204 d, the typed characters are encoded in print patternaccording to a selected type of symbol. The print pattern is generatedin the processing condition setting means 3C, or otherwise may begenerated in the processing data generation means 80K of thearithmetical and logic unit 80. In Details input dialog box 204 c, thereare provided three tabs, namely Print Data tab 204 e, Size•Position tab204 f and Printing conditions tub 402 g, for specifying details ofprinting conditions. In the 2D mode edit display window 202 shown inFIG. 14, a QR code is selected in the Character Data menu box 204 d,and, correspondingly, a cell size, a line thickness of character, apercentage of error correction and a version number are quantified.There are further provided check boxes for selection of Auto Mode,Reverse and Password.

When selecting Printer Operation in the Print Category menu box 204 a,it is enabled to select an print style in a pull-down operation menuincluding Fixed Point, Straight Line, Broken Line, ClockwiseCircle/Ellipse, Counterclockwise Circle/Ellipse, Centered Point and thelike. In the Printer Operation category, Details setting box 278 cappears in place of the Details input dialog box 204 c for specifying alocus of line, such as a straight line, a circular arc or the like, incoordinates as shown. For example, FIG. 16 shows the edit display window202 in which Broken Line is selected. FIG. 17 shows the edit displaywindow 202 in which Clockwise Circle/Ellipse is selected. FIG. 18 showsthe edit display window 202 in 3D edit mode in which a line is displayedin three dimensions.

The laser processing system is not applied only to character printingbut to printing of image data representing symbols such as logos andgraphics shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Specifically, when choosing“Logo•Graphics” in a Category menu box 204 a, a print pattern dialog tab217 and a print condition setting tab 218 appear. In the print patterndialog tab 217 shown in FIG. 19, the user specifies an external filename to be imported and details of a selected print pattern. It isconvenient to previously provide external files of logos and graphics inthe form of raster image data or vector graphics data. Further, in theprint condition setting tab 218 shown in FIG. 20, the user specifiesdetails of printing conditions.

In this way, print pattern data regarding a print block is established.A plurality of print blocks may be provided. That is, a work surfacearea or print area is divided into a plurality print blocks forprintings under different printing conditions, respectively. It can bemade to set a plurality of print blocks on a single work and, at thesame time, one print block on each of a plurality of works within thework surface area. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, setting of a print blockis made by block setting means such as a Block Number spin box 216 withNumber Change buttons which are located above the Print Pattern inputdialog box 204, namely an Increment button marked with “>”, a Decrementbutton marked with “<”, a Maximize button marked with “>>” and aMinimize button marked with “<<” for changing a block number. In orderto specify a block number in the Block Number spin box 216, theIncrement button or the Decrement button is pressed to change a blocknumber by one increment or one decrement, respectively. When pressingthe Maximize button or the Minimize button, the current block number inthe Block Number spin box 216 jumps to a minimum block number, e.g. 0 inthis embodiment or to a maximum block number, e.g. 255 in thisembodiment, respectively. Otherwise, it can be made to specify a blocknumber by entering a desired block number in the Block Number spin box216. The edit display window 202 shown in FIG. 14 displays a QR code byspecifying a block number of 000. The edit display window 202 shown inFIG. 15 is provided with three print blocks set therein in which a QRcode, a barcode and a character string are displayed by specifying blocknumbers of 000, 001 and 002, respectively. When enabling the Print Datatab 204 e, the print data dialog panel appears for specifying a heightof barcode, a narrow space width, bar thickness, a thickness ratio offine and heavy bars and the like. As appropriate, Check Digit andReverse can be specified. A layout of print blocks can be desirablychanged by adjustment of locations of the print blocks (centering ofprint blocks, right and left justification of print blocks, evendistribution of print blocks), superposition ordering of print blocksand positioning of print blocks. For example, FIG. 21 shows three printblocks which are justified centrally in a transverse direction anddistributed evenly in a vertical direction in the edit display window202. It can be made to position a print block by coordinates. Forexample, FIG. 21 shows a character string specified by a block numberspecified by typing X and Y coordinates in numerical value in SizePosition boxes of a Size•Position panel which appears when theSize•Position tab 204 f is enabled. The Size. Position panel includesbuttons for specifying a character format including a character height,a character width, a character spacing and the like. It can be also madeto specify writing directions and inner and outer diameters of a columnwhen printing a three-dimensional columnar work surface.

FIG. 22 shows a block list window. This block list window appears whenselecting an Edit command in the menu bar (see FIG. 15) to display apull-down menu and then selecting Block List in the menu. In the blocklist, reset of a specified print block, deletion of specified printblock, addition of a new print block can be made. It can be made toexecute a batch transformation of profiles of print blocks. In the casewhere the user wants to make a transformation of three print blockscomprising two circular cones and one sphere such as shown in FIG. 23 byway of example into three columnar print blocks, when pressing a button274 for 3D Profile Batch Transformation which is located at the bottomof a tool bar at a left side of the edit display window 202, a 3DProfile Batch Transformation window 275 appears as shown in FIG. 24. The3D Profile Batch Transformation window 275 includes a current printblock list which describes individual print blocks together with a blocknumber, position coordinates, a graphic type and a character string.After choosing any of the print blocks which the user wants to transformby checking a check box of the print block, a profile into which theuser wants to transform the selected print block is selected from apull-down menu of a Profile menu box 276 including a plane, a column, asphere, a circular cone, 3D processing machine, ZMAP, etc. When the userwants to transform all of the print blocks into a specific profilecollectively, after choosing Bach Transforming Block Profiles check box277, the user specifies details of the profile in the dialog box.Regarding the example shown in FIG. 24, the user chooses a column as aprofile to which the user wants to transform the selected print block,in the Profile menu box 276, and, thereafter, specifies a diameter and aprint surface in a Diameter spin box and a Print Side menu box in theBlock Profile Bach Transformation dialog box. When an OK button ispressed, an edit display window 202 appears to display three columnarprint blocks having the same diameters all together as shown in FIG. 71.This batch transformation function facilitates easy operation and islaborsaving in print block transformation.

FIGS. 26 to 34 illustrate a function of grouping a plurality of printblocks into one print group in order to set up printing conditions suchas laser power and scan speed by group. FIGS. 26 and 27 show editdisplay windows 202 in which a plurality of print blocks generatedthrough the print block generating means 3F are displayed in two andthree dimensions, respectively. In this instance, one print block allowsa single line of print only. Therefore, when it is requested to printtwo or more lines in one print block, a plurality of print blocks areestablished side by side as they are in one unified print block. Asshown in FIGS. 26 and 27, a columnar print block of a character string“abcde” (print block B1 which is identified by a block number 000) and acolumnar print block of a character string “ABCDE” (print block B2 whichis identified by a block number 001) are established on a columnar worksurface and set up vertically side by side. Printing conditions arespecified for the individual print blocks B1 and B2. In the past, userswere required to specify printing conditions by print block. In such acase, since the print blocks B1 and B2 are applied to a single work,many printing conditions are often common to both print blocks B1 andB2. If specifying the same printing conditions by print block in theconventional way, the printing condition specifying operation issomewhat troublesome. In particular, in the case where a large number ofprint blocks are established, the same printing conditions have to beentered over and over again. This is a time consuming operation. Inorder to avoid this problem, the processing block grouping means 3J isused to group a plurality of print blocks into one print group so asthereby to enable users to specify printing conditions by print group.

As shown in FIG. 28, after choosing a Print Block Grouping check box inthe Grouping dialog box 250 and selecting a print block which the userwants to group by its print block number, a group number is specified inGroup Number spin box 252. Selection of a print block which is requiredto be grouped is achieved by defining a work surface area including theprint block in the edit display window 202 using a pointing device suchas a mouse pointer as shown in FIG. 29 and then pressing Group button253. After defining the work surface area, or otherwise pointing aplurality of print blocks which the user wants to group with a mousepointer, the user presses a right mouse button to call a pop-up menu256. As shown in FIG. 30, when selecting Grouping in the pop-up menu256, a pull-down menu 257 listing Grouping, Ungrouping and Regroupingappears. Then, the Grouping is selected in the pull-down menu 257. Everytime several print blocks are grouped, a group number is automaticallyassigned to groups from 000 in order of grouping. In this embodiment,grouping is permitted up to 245 groups. This grouping function enablesusers to specify printing conditions collectively by group. In anexample shown in FIG. 59, print blocks B1 and B2 are pointed to begrouped as a group G1 in the edit display window 202 in the 2D edit modeand a group number (000 in this example) is assigned to the group byspecifying a number in a Grouping dialog box 250 of the Print Patterninput dialog box 204. As a result, a print group frame or box GW appearsto indicate an area of the print block group G1 which encloses doublecharacter strings which are grouped. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, theframe or box may be changed from a print block frame or box BW enclosinga singe print block to a print group frame or box GW enclosing groupedprint blocks. In this way, two character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE” arehandled as though they are one. The image of frame or box may beidentical or may be different in appearance between the print blockframe or box and the print group frame or box. When displaying the printblock frame or box BW by a fine line and the print group frame or box GWby a bold line, these print block frame or box BW and print group frameor box GW are sharply distinctive. Furthermore, these frames or boxesmay be differed by line styles such as solid line and broken line, linecolors, or the like. It is desirable to achieve the grouping operationin the edit display window 202 in the 2D edit mode as shown in FIG. 28since the 2D representation of a print block is simple and easy inselection. However, it is practicable to achieve the grouping operationin the edit display window 202 in the 3D edit mode as shown in FIG. 29.

The grouping function is effective not only to group print blocks orprint groups adjacent one another but to group print blocks or printgroups spaced from one another. As shown in FIG. 33 showing the casewhere three groups each of which comprises double character strings“abcde” and “ABCDE” are printed on a surface of a can, three printblocks of character string “abcde” B3, B4 and B5 are grouped into onegroup G2, and three print blocks of character string “ABCDE” B6, B7 andB8 are grouped into one group G3. This grouping enables to specify printdensity differently between the character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE”.In this way, print blocks can be grouped by printing condition, as wellas by print pattern such as characters, logos or the like. FIG. 34illustrates the case where a plurality of print blocks are grouped intodifferent groups for two or more works. Specifically, as shown,different print patterns are printed on works W1, W2 and W3, and a groupof double character strings “abcde” and “ABCDE” is printed on the workW1. The works W2 and W3 may be printed in identical print patterns andunder the same conditions. Accordingly, a plurality of works and aplurality of print blocks can be grouped together in any combination.The grouped print blocks or print groups can be ungrouped by pressingUngroup button 254 in the Grouping dialog box 250 shown in FIG. 59 orselecting the ungroup function in the pull-down menu 257 as shown inFIG. 61. The ungroup function is convenient in such a case where theuser wants to ungroup one or more print blocks grouped in one in orderto be specified differently in printing condition from the remainingprint blocks.

Referring back to FIG. 14, plane work surface profiling is possiblyperformed through the work surface profile input means 3A (see FIG. 13A)in the following ways.

(1) A Method of Drawing a Three-Dimensional Work by the Use of a 3DGraphic Design Program.

This method uses drawing tools such as a line tool, a curve tool, boxtool, etc. functionally similar to existing three-dimensional CADsoftware, three-dimensional modeling software and drawing software inorder to create a three-dimensional graphic image. This method iscasually used by users skilled in the task of three-dimensional graphicsdrawing but is difficult to understand and/or for users who areunfamiliar with three-dimensional data editing.

(2) A Method of Defining a Three-Dimensional Work Surface Profile bySpecifying Geometric Parameters in the Form of a Dialog.

This method uses wizard software to define a three-dimensional graphicimage through an interactive dialog. This method is casually usedbecause no knowledge and experience of three-dimensional graphicsdrawing is required. For example, the method is in need of specifying anelemental profile for a work profile and parameters for defining theprofile only. Specifically, a user is required only to select a desiredwork profile from an option menu and to specify parameters for theselected work profile. Necessary parameters to be specified by the userare position coordinates of a control point and a direction of a normalvector when an oblique plane is selected, position coordinates of acontrol point, an outer diameter and a direction of a center axis when acolumn is selected, and position coordinates of a center and a diameterwhen a sphere is selected.

(3) A Method of Choosing an Elemental Profile and Specifying Parametersof the Elemental Profile.

Not limited to interactive modes, a pseudo profiling method whichrepresents a work surface by an elemental profile is available. That is,users are requested to selectively specify prepared elemental profilessuch as a column-shaped profile, a cone-shaped profile, a sphere-shapedprofile and the like, and subsequently to specify numeric values ofparameters defining the selected profile. In this way, a work surfaceprofile is easily altered from a 2D representation to a 3Drepresentation. This pseudo profiling method facilitates specifyingoperation of a three-dimensional profile of a work surface.

(4) A Method of Importing a 3D Data File Prepared for a Work SurfaceProfile and Converting it.

This method uses a 3D data file of a work surface provided separately bya 3D CAD program and converts it into a 2D data file. Because 3D datafiles previously provided are available, this method saves a user a lotof labor. In this instance, readable data file formats include variousgeneralized file formats such as a DXF format, an IGES format, an STEPLP format, an STL format, a GKS format and the like. Furthermore, aformat exclusive to an application such as a DGW format may be used for3D data file conversion.

(5) A Method of Defining a Height Directly in Two Dimensional Data.

This method involves numerical data about a height and an inclination inthe direction of height in two dimensional data representing a printpattern. In an example shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 in which a print blockB9 comprising a character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is printed on aninclined work surface, after choosing a Basic Setting tab and thenspecifying Basic Profile in the Category menu box in the Print Patterninput dialog box 204, a plane is specified in a Type menu box to displaya plane work surface in two dimensions in the edit display window 202 asshown in FIG. 35. While displaying a print block B1 in two dimensions inthe edit display window 202, a Layout tab 216 is opened to specifyX-axis and Y-axis offsets in X and Y offset boxes, respectively.Thereafter, a Block Profile•Layout tab 211 is opened to specify anglesof rotation in X-, Y, and Z rotational angle boxes 211B to display alayout of the as shown in FIG. 36. An angle of rotation can be specifiedby choosing a value in a spin box by a scroll arrow or a scroll slide.In FIG. 36, the print block B1 is displayed when specifying an angle ofrotation in the X-axis. This method is, on one hand, advantageous to arepresentation of a simply stepped profile or an inclined profile and,on the other hand, not adequate to a representation of a complicatedprofile.

(6) A Method of Importing an Actual Image of a Work Surface Through anImage Recognition Device Such as an Image Sensor.

This method automatically acquires data by importing an image of a worksurface through an image sensor or the like.

In this embodiment, the methods (3) and (4) are employed in thisembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 37 to 39 showing the method (3), there are providedmeans for selecting a profile from prepared elemental graphics and meansfor reading a data file of 3D profile. When enabling the Profile Settingtab 204 i in the Print Pattern input dialog box 204 (see FIG. 14), theedit display window shows a profile menu box including ElementalGraphic, ZMAP and Machine Operation as shown in FIG. 37. The ElementalProfile is selected by default. When the Elemental Profile is selected,a pop-up menu 206 appears to list types of elemental graphics such as aplane, a column, a sphere, a cone, etc. which are highlighted byselection. Plane is selected by default and highlighted in the Profilemenu box 206. When selecting Column as shown in FIG. 38, the editdisplay windows 202 changes an object from plane-shaped tocolumn-shaped. That is, a QR code to be printed on a columnar worksurface is displayed in a plane with X-Y coordinate system. As aconsequence, the displayed QR code diminishes in width as closing to theright end. When the user wants to display an object or work surface inthree dimensions, the edit display window 202 is altered from a 2D viewmode to the 3D view mode shown in FIG. 38 by pressing a View button207A, thereby displaying a work surface in three dimensions. The editdisplay window 202 in the 3D view mode shown in FIG. 39 is altered backto the edit display window 202 in the 2D edit mode shown in FIG. 38 bypressing the View button 207A. In this way, the edit display window 202is alternately changed between the 2D view mode and the 3D view mode. Anicon on the View button 207A is altered between an indication of “2D”and an indication of “3D” correspondingly to a switch of the edit splaywindow 202 between the 2D view mode and the 3D view mode. The printpattern, i.e. the QR code, is enclosed in a frame or box K in the editsplay window 202 in the 3D view mode shown in FIG. 39 similarly in the2D view mode shown in FIG. 38. The tool bar 207 including the Viewbutton 207A is in the form of a floating tool bar which can be freelyshifted within the window, it may be hidden as appropriate, orotherwise, may be incorporated in an ordinary fixed tool bar.

FIGS. 40 to 47 show the edit display windows 202 which display an objector work as though the user views it at different view points in the editdisplay window 202 in the 3D edit mode. Explaining the view point shiftfunction taking a QR code shown in FIG. 38 for example, when pressingthe View button (View mode switch button) 207A of the floating tool bar207 in the edit display window 202 in the 3D edit mode shown in FIG. 38,the edit display window 202 in the 3D edit mode appears as shown in FIG.39. The view point is shifted at will as shown in FIGS. 40 through 47 bymoving a scroll bars 209 up or down and right or left in the editdisplay window 202 in the 3D view mode shown in FIG. 38. FIG. 40 showsthe edit display window 202 in which the work with a QR code is viewedobliquely from above. FIG. 41 shows the edit display window 202 in whichthe object or content is rotated by 180° and viewed from behind. Theview point may be otherwise shifted by dragging any point of the editdisplay window 202. When pressing a Move/Rotation button of the tool bar207, the scroll bars 209 are altered from a rotation function to a movefunction. In this state, when moving the scroll bar 209 up and down orright and left, a viewing field including an object moves up and down orright and left correspondingly in the edit display window 202 as shownin FIGS. 42 and 43. In this way, the scroll bars which are alteredbetween an object rotating function and an object moving function by theMove/Rotation button of the tool bar 207 facilitates operation to changea viewing field, and hence a view point. As a consequence, even userswho are unfamiliar with three-dimensional graphic editing are enabled toeasily shift a view point.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 45 to 47 showing the edit display window 202which displays an object or work in the 3D display mode as though theuser views it at different fixed view points, the fixed view point ischanged by pressing a Display Position button 207B of the tool bar 207.Specifically, when pressing the Display Position button 207B in the editdisplay window 202 shown in FIG. 45 which corresponds to the editdisplay window 202 shown in FIG. 38 and in which a view point is fixedabove an X-Y coordinate plane, the edit display window 202 changes todisplay a Y-Z coordinate plane as though a view point is above the Y-Zcoordinate plane as shown in FIG. 46. When pressing the Display Positionbutton 207B in the edit display window 202 shown in FIG. 46, the editdisplay window 202 changes to display a Z-X coordinate plane as though aview point is above the Z-X coordinate plane as shown in FIG. 47. Inthis way, the quick cyclical change of a viewing plane in the 3D viewmode is advantageous to a changing a fixed view point.

In the above embodiment, the edit display window 202 is switched overfrom the 2D edit mode to the 3D edit mode, and vice versa. In case whereit is desired to display same objects (same work surface) in both twodimensions and three dimensions, respectively, the laser processing datasetting program provides a 3D viewer window 260. When selecting a 3DViewer Open button 207C in the floating tool bar 207 in the edit displaywindow 202 in the 2D edit mode, a 3D viewer window 260 appears over theedit display window 202 as shown in FIG. 48. The 3D viewer window 260can be moved to any desired location on the screen by dragging its titlebar or any portion thereof and changed in size. A work can be changed inposition, rotated and scaled as desired. Since it is not required toopen the 3D viewer window 260 while the edit display window 202 is inthe 3D edit mode as shown in FIG. 39, the 3D Viewer Open button 207C inthe floating tool bar 207 grays out and is disabled to prevent erroneousoperation. It is also possible to display a 2D viewer window separatelyfrom the edit display window 202. The 3D viewer window 260 may bechanged in layout, size and position as desired. In this way, the editdisplay window 202 and the 3D viewer window 260 are used for the objectdisplay section 83 of the display unit 82. The 3D viewer 260 appearswith a grid and scales for facilitating easy grasp of a view point. Thegrid and scales may be hidden as appropriate.

FIGS. 49 to 54 show a method of importing a 3D data file prepared for awork surface profile which has been prepared by the use of, for example,a 3D CAD and converting it. This method basically pastes a twodimensional print pattern data to three dimensional profile data. Theterm “ZMAP” file as used hereinafter shall means and refer to a threedimensional profile data file in a file format which includesinformation about Z-coordinates in a direction of height for individualX- and Y-coordinates, respectively. After entering a print pattern suchas a character string “ABCDEFGHIJKL” in the Text box 204 b of the PrintPattern dialog box shown in FIG. 49, the Profile Setting dialog tab isenabled to select a ZMAP option in the Print Category menu box 205 whichfunctions as the 3D data input means 3 b. When choosing the ZPAM in thePrint Category menu box 205, a ZMAP File Name box 292 appears. Then, theuser specifies a file name of a desired ZMAP in the ZMAP File Name box292. Otherwise, when pressing a REF button 293 on the right-hand side ofthe ZMAP File Name box 292, an Open File dialog box 294 shown in FIG. 51appears to list available file names (in this embodiment, only one filename is listed). Then, the user can select a ZMAP file (e.g. dolphinMD3) which the user wants to import. Whereupon choosing the ZMAP file,the chosen file name “dolphin MD3” is indicated in the ZMAP File Namebox 292 as shown in FIG. 52.

In this state, the edit display window 202 displays the print pattern“ABCDEFGHIJKL” pasted to the three dimensional profile represented bythe three dimensional profile data defined by the ZMAP file. When theuser wants to look a 3D representation, the edit display window 202 isaltered from the 2D view mode to the 3D view mode shown in FIG. 53 bypressing the View button 207A of the floating tool bar 207. As aconsequence, the print pattern “ABCDEFGHIJKL” pasted to a specified partof the work surface is displayed in three dimensions in the edit displaywindow 202. Like this, the print pattern “ABCDEFGHIJKL” can be confirmedboth in two dimensions and three dimensions. Further, concurrently withspecifying a ZMAP data file, a ZPAP Display command box 207D is enabledas shown in FIG. 52. When enabling the ZPAP Display command box whilethe edit display window 202 is in the 3D view mode as shown in FIG. 53,the edit display window 202 displays the printed print pattern“ABCDEFGHIJKL” laid on a representation (dolphin) of the threedimensional data defined by the specified ZMAP file as shown in FIG. 54.This feature enables users to visually confirm a general appearance ofprinting.

Pasting of the print pattern to the work is achieved so that a printpattern in an orthogonal projection on a three dimensional work surfacecan be recaptured in a right pattern when viewed in a specificdirection, e.g. head-on, as shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, in other words, sothat the print pattern “ABCDEFGHIJKL” displayed in the edit displaywindow 202 in the 2D view mode as a consequence of specifying the filename in the ZMAP File Name box 292 as shown in FIG. 52 remains unchangedeven though the edit display window 202 changes from the 2D view mode(FIG. 49) to the 3D view mode (FIGS. 53 and 54), and vice versa. In thisinstance, three dimensional information about the print pattern isgenerated by adding information about a height (Z coordinate) at a pointon the ZMAP which has having X and Y coordinates to two dimensionalinformation about a point of the print pattern which has X and Ycoordinates corresponding to those of the ZMAP point. Because thismethod uses the two dimensional information about the print pattern onits own and refers to only height information held in the ZMAP file,data processing for changing the print pattern from two dimensional tothree dimensional is facilitated. As a consequence, the data conversionis achieved with a reduced load and a high speed. In particular, when awork has a complicated shape, this method is advantageous in light ofthroughput capacity and speed. Furthermore, because of accurateappearance of a print pattern such as a symbols and characters, thismethod is advantageous to an application where a printed pattern has tobe read or recognized in a definite direction for identification. Forexample, even when printing a symbol such as a barcode on a curvedsurface, it is avoided that a printed barcode is misread due todistortion at an end portion of the printed barcode. As a consequence,print patterns are read by optical character readers or optical barcodereaders at a high read rate.

In the method of choosing an elemental profile and specifying parametersof the elemental profile, a print pattern is pasted to an elementalpattern developed in plan. That is, a two-dimensional representation ofa print pattern in the edit display window 202 changes as shown in FIGS.37 and 38. This representation is favorable for an application where aprinted pattern is read or recognized in indefinite directions, forexample an application where a print pattern which does not always needto be recognized for identification like a date of manufacture and aserial number.

As just described above, the Print Category menu box 205 performs thefunction of switching from the elemental profile specification via theelemental profile specifying means 3 a to the ZMAP file specificationfunction via the 3D data input means 3 b, and vice versa.

FIGS. 55 to 70 show a procedure for creating ZMAP data from athree-dimensional profile data file provided in the form of generalpurpose data file in the following procedure. Three-dimensional profiledata files can be prepared by the use of commercially available computerprograms such as a 3D-CAD program and a 3D-CG program and written in thefile format of STL (Stereo Lithography) in this embodiment. The STL fileformat, which has a data structure in which an object is represented byan aggregation of a number of triangular planes, facilitates datahandling. The file format may be of course selected from available fileformats general-purpose file formats such as DXF, IDES, STEP and fileformats exclusive to specific application software such as DWG, DWF, CDRand AI. It is practicable to enclose a file converter for converting athree-dimensional profile data file into a STL data file. The threedimensional data setting program reads in the STL data file ofthree-dimensional profile.

When choosing a “ZMAP Edit” command in an edit menu, a ZMAP edit window300 appears in the screen as shown in FIG. 55. The ZMAP edit window 300includes a view window 301 at the left-hand side which displays a threedimensional representation of three-dimensional profile data and aPosture Adjustment dialog box 302 at the right-hand side in which aposture of the three dimensional representation to be displayed in theview window 301 is specified. When choosing an “Open STL File” commandin a file menu, an STL File select dialog box opens. Then, the userspecifies a disk to open a list of STL files in the dialog box andspecify an STL file which the user wants. FIG. 56 shows the ZMAP editwindow 300 with the specified STL file opening in the view window 301.In this state, a STL Display button 303 is made pressed to indicate thatthe specified STL file is displayed in the view window 301. In thisembodiment, a default position of a three-dimensional profile data issuch that an extreme end of a representation of the three-dimensionalprofile data is at original coordinates. However, it is allowed tochange the default position. The representation (object) can bedisplayed in a desired posture which the STL data file is wanted to beconverted into a ZMAP data file by changing parameters (coordinates andangles of rotation) for defining a posture of a representation of theSTL data file. For example, when specifying −60 mm in an X Coordinatebox 304 in the Posture Adjustment dialog box 302 shown in FIG. 56, theobject translates −60 mm left in the view window 301 in an X-Ycoordinate plane as shown in FIG. 57 and or in X-Z coordinate plane asshown in FIG. 58. In the same way, the object translates 10 mmvertically up as shown in FIG. 59 or down as shown in FIG. 60 byspecifying 10 mm or −10 mm in a Z Coordinate box 304 in the PostureAdjustment dialog box 302 shown in FIG. 58, respectively. Further, theobject translates 50 mm upward as shown in FIG. 61 by specifying 50 mmin a Y Coordinate box 304 in the Posture Adjustment dialog box 302 shownin FIG. 57. X, Y and Z coordinates are specified by entering numeralvalues in the X, Y and Z Coordinate boxes 304, or otherwise by usingscroll arrow keys 305, respectively. X and Y coordinates are changed byup and down and right and left arrow keys 305 a arranged crosswise, anda Z coordinate is changed by up and down scroll arrow keys 305 b. Inthis way, the user can visually confirm the object moving it in the viewwindow 301. In addition, the object can be rotated independently aroundX-, Y- and Z-axes in view window 301 by specifying angles of rotation ina Rotational Angle dialog box 306 in the Posture Adjustment dialog box302 as shown in FIGS. 62, 63 and 64, respectively Angles of rotationaround X-, Y- and Z-axes are specified by entering numeral values in theX, Y and Z Rotation boxes 306, or otherwise by using scroll slide keys305, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 65, 66 and 67, it is practicable to display boundaryrepresentations KM for indicating printable zones in X, Y and Zdirections in the view window 301. The boundary representations KMindicating X, Y and Z directional printable zones are displayed bychoosing X, Y and Z direction check boxes in a Printable Zone Displaydialog box 307. The X, Y and Z directional printable zones can bedisplayed independently or concurrently. This boundary representingfunction enables users to visually ascertain whether a representation ofthe three dimensional data falls in X, Y and Z printable zones adjustinga layout of the object. In this instance, a view point can be changed byscrolling the view window 301 and/or rotating an object in the viewwindow 301. For this purpose, scroll bars of the view window 301 arefunctionally altered between view window scrolling and object rotation.This functional alteration of the scroll bars is performed by enabling aRotation/Scroll button 308. Further, the ZMAP edit window 300 may have asimple function of modifying a STL data file such as alteration ofexpansion/contraction ratio, trimming and the like.

When a posture of the representation of the three dimensional profiledata is determined, the profile data is converted into a ZMAP data file.Specifically, when clicking and enabling a ZMAP Display button 310 inthe Posture Adjustment dialog box 302, a confirmation dialog box appearsto seek confirmation as to a conversion into a ZMAP data file. In thisconfirmation dialog box, an inquiry “Convert into ZMAP. Approve ?” isshown. When choosing an OK button for approval, STL data file isconverted into to a ZMAP data file and, as a consequence, a ZMAP datafile representing an object such as shown in FIG. 68 is created. Sincethe ZMAP data file contains information about height representing one Zcoordinate for X and Y coordinates of a point in an X-Y coordinateplane, data representing a portion of the object below the X-Ycoordinate plane is lost, so that only a portion of the object above theX-Y coordinate plane is displayed as shown in FIG. 68. Because the laserprocessing system is incapable of processing the back side of a work,only data representing an upper half of the work is sufficient. However,when it is required to print the backside of a work, the threedimensional profile data shown in FIG. 62 is rotated around, forexample, the X-axis by 180° so that the object turns upside down asshown in FIG. 62 and then converted into ZMAP data shown in FIG. 69.While the view window 301 is in the state of ZMAP display, the ZMAPDisplay button 310 remains pressed until it is pressed and disabled. Asa consequence, the ZMAP Display button 310 serves both as a commandbutton for execution of data file conversion and a label indicating acontent displayed in the view window 301. When the STL Display button303 is pressed and disabled while the ZMAP Display button 310 remainsenabled, the display in the view window 301 returns from arepresentation of the ZMAP data to a representation of the STL datadisplay. Accordingly, the STL Display button 303 allows users to canceland redo operation of data conversion, and to save the STL data file.After confirming it on the view window 301 that the three dimensionalZMAP data correctly represents an intended work surface, the ZMAP datafile is saved in a desired directory by choosing a Save As ZMAP commandin the file menu and naming it. In this way, a print pattern isthree-dimensionally converted by specifying the ZMAP data as threedimensional data representing a print area.

The three-dimensional conversion of a print pattern based on a specifiedZMAP data is achieved as follows. After entering a character string“ABCDEFGHIJKLM” in the Text box 204 b as shown in FIG. 49 and choosingZMAP in the Print Category box 205 as shown in FIG. 52, a desired ZMAPdata file (dolphin M3D) is chosen by specifying its file name in theZMAP File Name box 292. As a consequence, the print pattern, i.e. thecharacter string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is changed in three dimensions. At thistime, the character string “ABCDEFGHIJKLM” is still displayed in A X-Ycoordinate plane as shown in FIG. 52. When choosing the View button 207,the edit display window 202 is altered from the 2D view mode to the 3Dview mode so as thereby to display the print area in three dimensions asshown in FIG. 53. In this way, the print pattern is mapped on the printarea so as to equal out in appearance with the print pattern viewed fromabove shown in FIG. 52. Further, when enabling the ZPAP Display commandbox 207D, view window 301 displays the work defined by the ZMAP data inthree dimensions with a three dimensional profile of the print patternoverlapped thereon as shown in FIG. 54. Similarly, when choosing a ZMAPdata file representing a work upside down shown n FIG. 69, the printpattern is three dimensionally changed as shown in FIG. 70. In this way,the view window 301 can be altered from a display of the print area onlyto a display of the overall profile of the work, and vice versa, duringsetting operation. The user can adjust a position of the threedimensional data in which the print pattern is pasted.

When displaying a printing area specified on a three-dimensional worksurface in three dimensions together with the work surface profile, itis visually checked up whether the printing area falls in an appropriateprintable location relative to the work surface. A work surfaces isdifferently colored between a work surface area upon which a laser beamimpinges at angles in a predetermined range for appropriate printquality (a printable work surface area) and a work surface area uponwhich a laser beam impinges at angles and is expected to be printablebut defective in print quality (a defective printable work surfacearea). Specifically, the printable work surface area remains uncolored,and the defective printable work surface area is colored red. In thisway, it is visually checked up on whether a specified print area fallsthoroughly within a printable work surface area and which part of aspecified print area cuts across a defective printable work surface areaeven partly. In the case where a work surface including a print area isat a far side from laser irradiation, the print area is hidden in theedit display window 202 in the 3D edit mode so as thereby to indicatethat the specified print area is unprintable (an unprintable worksurface area). This function signals the user a relative position of thework print area with respect to a work surface and prompts the user tocorrect the print area. This function is not linked to the above means.Any visual checking means known to those skilled in the art can beavailable for indicating a printable work surface area, a defectiveprintable work surface area and an unprintable work surface area. Forexample, these work surface areas may be indicated by text messages onthe edit display window 202, by voice messages or by an alarm. It ispracticable to indicate one of the three situations, for example anunprintable work surface area, which the user wants to know.

In this instance, an incident angle of laser beam which distinguishes aprintable work surface area and a defective printable work surface areafrom each other is specified by a default initial angle, or otherwisemay be specified by entering another angle in an entry box additionallyprovided in the edit display window 202. Specifically, laser processingof a work surface is limited and made difficult depending uponirradiation angles and lowers its precision as an irradiation angle θwith a normal line of the work surface comes close to 90°. A criticalirradiation angle or higher limit angle (processing limitation angle) isordinarily fixed to 60° and may be, however, adjusted by the user.

In this way, it arises in three-dimensional printing according to workprofiles and relative position between a work surface and a laser beamthat some work surface areas are unexposed or only insufficientlyexposable to the laser beam, in other words, unprintable or onlydefectively printable. Therefore, it is practicable to calculate aprintable work surface area based on these factors and to caution theuser to try another setting when representation of laser printing datafalls within an unprintable work surface area. This calculation isperformed in the arithmetical and logic unit 80. The arithmetical andlogic unit 80 enables the defective surface area detection means 80B todetect a defective work surface area by performing calculations, theprocessing condition adjusting means 80C to adjust printing conditionsso as to make the defective printable work surface area well printed,the highlighting means 801 to highlight the defective printable worksurface area detected by the defective surface area detection means 80Bso as thereby to display it differently from a printable work surfacearea, and the warning means 80J to provide a warning that a printpattern set by the processing condition setting means 3C cuts acrosseven partly a defective printable work surface area.

The highlighting means 801 highlights a defective printable work surfacearea of a work surface in the edit display window 202. As shown in FIG.39, a work surface area close to a root of a columnar work surface whichis only defectively printable due to a narrow angle of a laser beamincident thereupon is displayed in red. Further, an unprintable worksurface area is a work surface area which is at a far side from laserirradiation and, thus, isolated from laser irradiation. The defectiveprintable work surface area and the unprintable work surface area arecalculated by defective surface area detection means 80B. When aspecified print pattern cuts across even partly an unprintable worksurface area and is consequently unprintable, the warning means 80Jmakes the print pattern disappear from the edit display window 202 so asthereby to prompt the user to try another layout. For example, thewarning means 80J makes a print pattern hidden when the print patterncuts across even partly a work surface area specified at a far side fromlaser irradiation and displays a print pattern in red when it falls on adefective printable work surface area. In this way, work surface areasare categorized not simply by printable and unprintable, but a pluralityof grades of print quality such as good quality, flawed quality andunprintable. This categorization of work surface area provides the userwith detailed information about layout.

FIGS. 71 and 72 show print patterns, i.e. barcodes K which cut acrosseven partly unprintable work surface areas. Therefore, the warning means80J hides the print pattern in the edit display window 202. In thisevent, the printing position is adjusted so as to lay the print patternin a printable work surface area. On that account, as shown in FIG. 71,the 3D Setting tab 204 i is enabled to open the Layout dialog box 208 inwhich a print start angle is changed from −90° (a default angle) to−120°. As a result, the barcode is displayed as shifted as shown in FIG.36. In this way, a print pattern is set up by adjusting a print startposition, a work surface area, a narrow space width, a bar thickness andthe like so as thereby to be accurately printed. This adjustment may beperformed not manually but automatically by the processing conditionadjusting means 80C.

Referring to FIG. 73 shows a Settings dialog box for setting laserparameters in which the function of highlighting an unprintable worksurface area by the highlighting means 801 can be enabled and disabled.The function of displaying an unprintable work surface area is disabledby clearing an Enable Unprintable Work Surface Area Display check box inthe Settings dialog box. In the Settings dialog box, laser parameterssuch as a focal distance, an effective range in a Z direction and aneffective angle (a critical irradiation angle) are checked up on andadjusted as appropriate. In addition, a printable work surface area canbe specified in size and position when a defective printable worksurface area and an unprintable work surface area are detected by thedefective surface area detection means 80B. On that account, the warningmeans 80J is enabled to display data on coordinate limits of a worksurface area and a maximum printable size in the display unit 82. Anumerical display of settings can be utilized as an indicator ofresetting by the user and provide easy-to-operate circumstances.

The warning means 80J hides a print pattern in the an object displaysection 83 when the print pattern detected by the defective surface areadetection means 80B cuts across at least partly a defective printablework surface area. In the past, in order to ascertain that printing workwill not be performed correctly by a laser processing machine capable ofprocessing in three dimensions due to improper printing conditions, theonly way was to actually print for visual checking, or otherwise, a wayto ascertain printability by the controller of a laser marking machineafter transferring data on printing conditions into the memory of thecontroller and extracting the data. Printing conditions are determinedby specifying a profile of work (e.g. column, cone, sphere, etc.) and aprint pattern (e.g. a character string) to be printed on the work. Sincea printable pattern size (printable work surface area) depends onparameters such as a work size and a diameter, it is necessary tospecify a print pattern smaller than these parameters. However, in thepast, users could not know whether a print pattern falls within aprintable work surface area during printing conditions settingoperation, and, as a consequence, the best the user could do was tocheck for errors only after transfer and extraction of data on theprinting conditions which are determined by specifying a work profileand a print pattern. Since transfer and extraction of data is a somewhattime consuming operation, the conventional approach is inconvenient.

On the contrary, according to the present invention, the warning means80J realizes the function of informing the user whether printing ispossible or not and whether the print result will be good or bad duringprinting conditions setting operation. Practical informing means is toindicate a printable pattern size at the instant of specifying a workprofile, a print pattern size at the instant of setting it, or a workprofile and a print pattern combined together.

FIG. 74 shows an example of a representation of a printable pattern sizein the object display unit 83 at the instance of specifying a column asa work surface area. Therein print will be degraded due to a narrowincident angle at which a laser beam impinges and is detected as adefective printable work surface area by the defective surface areadetection means 80B and displayed in red by the highlighting means 801.Coincidentally, a printable work surface area is displayed by a frame K1showing a pattern size printable on a columnar work surface by thewarning means 80J. The frame K1 can be represented by a line differentin color, thickness and/or style from an object for enhanced visibilityand distinction of the printable work surface area.

FIG. 75 shows an example of a representation of a print pattern size inthe object display section 83 at the instance of specifying it. When asize of a print pattern is specified by the user, a frame K2 having thesame size as the print pattern is displayed on a work surface.Accordingly, a print pattern size currently specified is reflected inthe representation in the object display section 83 for immediate visualchecking. It is checked up by the user that there is no mixture betweenthe defective printable work surface area colored red and the frame K2and that print is expected to be made appropriately.

FIGS. 76 and 77 show examples of representations of a print pattern anda work surface in combination in the object display section 83. Becausethe representation includes a print pattern, such as a character string“ABC”, as well as a frame K3 indicating a print pattern size, the usercan ascertain a virtually printed print pattern with enhancedvisibility. In FIG. 75, it is checked up that the character string “ABC”in the frame K3 does not cut across even partly the defective printablework surface area colored red. On the other hand, in FIG. 77, it ischecked up that the character string “ABC” in the frame K3 cuts acrosseven partly the defective printable work surface area colored red. Whensuch an interference between a print pattern and a defective printablework surface area occurs, it is practicable to display a text message asshown in FIG. 91.

Referring to FIG. 78, the warning means 80J displays a precomposedwritten message such as “Caution: Printing conditions you set areimproper” in the object display section 83. It is practicable toindicate recommendable values for another setting. FIG. 79 shows anexample of a directive written message such as “Caution: Set between∘∘˜∘∘” for a guide to appropriate settings. Examples of the directivewritten message include “Caution: Set printing position between ∘∘˜∘∘”,“Caution: Set character size less than ∘∘” and the like. It is alsoallowed to use any combination of these directive written messages.These written messages offer a useful guide to another setting andprovide easy-to-operate circumstances. These written messages may be ofcourse replaced with voice messages or warning sounds.

The function of the defective surface area detection means 80B shown inFIG. 13A will be described in detail below. It is not improbable that awork surface includes an area where defective processing is madedepending upon work profiles, work transfer speeds, scanning speeds of alaser beam. In the case where a processing pattern is accidentallyspecified in the defective printable area, since there are provided nomeans for informing of existence of a defective printable work surfacearea, defective prints and printing errors occur. Therefore, it isessential to carry out visual print quality inspection and withdrawaland disposition of defective works which is quite troublesome andwasteful. For these reasons, in this embodiment, the user is given awarning at the instant of specifying a print pattern that the printpattern is expected to be made, partially or completely, in a defectiveprintable work surface area, or is given a warning that printing errorsoccur when actually printing. This warning function is realized by thedefective surface area detection means 80B. In this instance, the term“defective printable work surface area” which is detected by thedefective surface area detection means 80B as used herein includes an“unprintable work surface area.” as well as a defective printable worksurface area.

FIG. 80 shows how the defective surface area detection means 80B detectsa defective printable work surface area of a cubic work W. In thisembodiment, a laser beam LB scans a printing plane SP at a fixeddistance K from a reflection plane MP. First and second scan mirrors M1and M2 have axes of rotation coinciding with X- and Y axes of thereflection plane, respectively, are located at a distance L from eachother in the Y-direction, and inclined at an angle of θ1 in theX-direction. When focusing the laser beam LB at a point A havingcoordinates of X, Y and Z, the following equation hold:Tan θ₁ =X/{[(Y ²+(K−Z)²]^(1/2) +L}where a vector of the laser beam LB is expressed by the followingequation:(X−L Tan θ₁ ,Y,Z−K)Hence,x=Xt−Lxt/{[(Y ²+(K−Z)²]^(1/2) +L}+Xy=Yt+Yz=(Z−K)t+ZWith the substitution Tan θ₁, x, y and z are expressed as follows:x=(X−L Tan θ₁)t+Xy=Yt+Yz=(Z−K)t+Z

Whether any point A (X, Y, Z) is impinged by the laser beam LB, in otherwords, whether any point is shadowed from the laser beam LB and involvedin a defective printable work surface area, depends on whether lines x,y and z have an intersecting point with the work surface. Therefore, thedefective surface area detection means 80B detects a defective printablework surface area by calculating x, y and z from the above equations.Although the above description is directed to the case where the workremains stationary for simplified explanation, the defective surfacearea detection means 80B is enabled to detect a defective printable worksurface area of a work which is moving by performing calculationscoupled with a moving distance from time to time.

Concerning defective printing due to difference in scanning speed in X,Y and Z directions, since a Z-axis scan mirror operates at a scan speedrelatively lower than X-axis and Y-axis scan mirrors. This fact makes acontroversial impact on processing of an inclined work surface. In thiscase, when inclinations of the X- and the Y-axis with the Z-axis aregreater than a predetermined inclination, it is determined that print isexpected to be made defective. Defective print due to a difference inscan speed can be eliminated by adjusting printing parameters so as tolower scan speeds of the X- and the Y-scan mirrors. This is because thedefective print is caused in some cases by the fact that the Z-axis scanmirror can not follow the Z-axis scan mirror. This scan speed adjustmentfunction can be performed by the processing condition adjusting means80C.

The processing condition adjusting means 80C calculates availableprocessing conditions based on an angle of inclination of a worksurface, a ratio of X-Y component relative to Z component, a scan spedof the Z scan mirror, a moving speed of the work, etc. The calculatedprocessing conditions can be displayed on the display unit 82. The usercan try another setting in reference to the calculated conditions.Otherwise, the processing condition adjusting means 80C may be adaptedto specify processing conditions automatically. In this case, sinceprocessing conditions are collectively specified, the user is lesspressed to specify processing conditions and precise processing isrealized irrespective of a defective printable work surface area.Similarly, in the case where defective print occurs due to variations inscan speed of X- and Y-scan mirrors, the defective print can beeliminated by harmonizing the scan speeds of the scan mirrors with oneanother.

When the defective surface area detection means 80B detects a defectiveprintable work surface area, the highlighting means 801 displays adefective printable work surface area and a printable work surface areadifferently so as to enable the user to get hold of the defectiveprintable work surface area visually. In order to display thesedefective printable work surface area and printable work surface areadifferently, it is practicable to display the individual work surfaceareas in a linear gradient pattern, a gray scale pattern, a shadingpattern or the like, as well as differing in color, for distinctionbetween them. When printing by use of a palette, defective printablework surface areas differ from one another according to works as shownin FIG. 71. In such a case, the defective surface area detection means80B detects a defective printable work surface area by work byperforming calculations, so that the defective printable work surfacearea is distinctly displayed on the display unit 82 by the highlightingmeans 801.

FIG. 40 shows an Environment Configuration window 210 including a 3DEnvironment Configuration dialog box 210A including various options anda Preview Window 210B which is used to specify a laser beam travelingpath to a work. In the Preview window which is similar to the editdisplay window 202, a laser beam LB is displayed together with a markinghead icon MK and a work as close as possible to the way it will appearin the edit display window 202 when specified. This function makes iteasy for the user to get hold of a printing direction relative to adefective printable work surface area. The iconic representation of themarking head MK appears in the preview window 210B by default anddisappears therefrom by clearing a Display Marker check box 210 a in the3D Environment Configuration dialog box 210A. The object in the previewwindow 210B is also displayed in three dimensions in the head displaysection 84 of the display section 83. It is enabled to display X, Y andZ coordinate axes in the edit display window 202 as shown in, forexample, FIG. 40 for the purpose of easy coordinate orientation. The X,Y and Z coordinate axes may be different in color for clear visibledistinction. In FIG. 40, the Z axis is brought into line with a laserbeam path. Display of X, Y and Z coordinate axes makes a spatiallocalization of the marking head relative to a work. The X, Y and Zcoordinate axes can be removed from the edit display window 202 bychoosing the Display Axes check box 210 b in the 3D EnvironmentConfiguration dialog box 210A. In this embodiment, the X, Y and Zcoordinate axes appear or disappear when choosing or clearing theDisplay Axes check box 210 b.

It is of course a design choice to display or hide the X, Y and Zcoordinate axes individually. It is also practicable to display one ormore reference lines, besides the X, Y and Z coordinate axes. Forexample, when printing on an area close to a mot of a columnar worksurface, it is practicable to draw a reference line along a side at themot for clarity of a base position. Such a reference line can bespecified by coordinates and a direction of vector. The marking head inthe edit display window 202 is displayed in the form of an icon MKhaving the same appearance and color as a real marking head. However, itis preferred that the marking head icon has a back side different incolor from a front side. For example, the marking head icon MK coloredin ash gray at the front side has a white back side in FIG. 41 and iscolored at a back side in different color from the front side in FIG.40. Such a color pattern may be optional and is advantageous for theuser to get hold of a position of the marking head when varying the viewpoint. FIG. 82 shows a 3D Color Pattern dialog box 210C which appearswhen enabling a Color Pattern tab in the Environment Configurationwindow 210. The user can selectively specify colors and pattern elementsin details in the preview window 210B. The pattern includes any stylesuch as solid lines patterns, broken lines patterns, fill colorpatterns, hatching patterns and the like. FIGS. 83 and 84 show a 2DEnvironment Configuration dialog box 210D and a 2D Color Pattern dialogbox 210C, respectively. The Environment Configuration window 210 can bedisappeared and/or closed by pressing a close button.

In this way, the user can get hold of a physical relationship betweenthe marking head and a work surface by displaying them together in threedimensions. As a consequence, the user can visually checks up on therepresentation of settings with ease and find and correct settingmistakes. In the above embodiment, the marking head moves and changes inposition correspondingly to movement of a work surface and a shift inview point In the edit display window 202, an object can be zoomed,magnified or demagnified, in the 2D edit mode, and is, however, fixed ata default magnification. It is possible to display the marking headalways at a fixed magnification irrespectively of magnification ordemagnification of a work because the marking head is displayed for theprimary purpose of orientation thereof. This lets the user keep track ofthe marking head even when a work is demagnified. Further, as thedescription is directed to printing of a work remaining stationary inthe above embodiment, a 3D working area is centrally located in the editdisplay window 202 especially in the 3D edit mode. However, as describedlater, it is possible to enlarge the 3D working area for printing of amoving work so as to provide a large substantial area for a printablework surface area. This enables the user to check up on settings withease. In particular, in the case where an elongated work moves in itslongitudinal direction, the work is displayed in full view within thewindow screen so that it is quite easy for the user to get hold of thecomplete work without scrolling the window screen up and down.

In this way, the user can get hold of a physical relationship betweenthe marking head and a work surface by displaying them together in threedimensions. As a consequence, the user can visually checks up on therepresentation of settings with ease and find and correct settingmistakes.

In the above embodiment, the marking head moves and changes in positioncorrespondingly to movement of a work surface and a shift in view pointIn the edit display window 202, an object can be zoomed, magnified ordemagnified, in the 2D edit mode, and is, however, fixed at a defaultmagnification. It is possible to display the marking head always at afixed magnification irrespectively of magnification or demagnificationof a work because the marking head is displayed for the primary purposeof orientation thereof. This lets the user keep track of the markinghead even when a work is demagnified. Further, as the description isdirected to printing of a work remaining stationary in the aboveembodiment, a 3D working area is centrally located in the edit displaywindow 202 especially in the 3D edit mode. However, as described later,it is possible to enlarge the 3D working area for printing of a movingwork so as to provide a large substantial area for a printable worksurface area. This enables the user to check up on settings with ease.In particular, in the case where a long work moves in its longitudinaldirection, the work is displayed in full view within the window screen,it is quite easy for the user to get hold of the work thoroughly withoutscrolling the window up and down.

FIG. 85 shows the edit display window 202 with the 3D Setting tab 204 ienabled in the Profile Setting dialog box chosen by. When enabling aPrint Block Profile•Layout tab 211, a Details Setting dialog box 212appears for letting the user specify details of a block patter includingcoordinates of a base position, angles of rotation and details ofprofile of a block pattern. When a columnar work surface is chosen, aradius of a column and a print side, inner or outer, are specified inthe Block Pattern•Layout dialog box 212.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing patterncreation which is achieved by the processing data generation means 80Kduring execution of the laser processing data setting program. In firststep S21, a processing pattern is set up by entering a character stringthrough the processing condition setting means 3C and specifying anencoding pattern type. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 by way ofexample, after choosing Character String in the Print Category menu box204 a to show the Print Pattern input dialog box 204, the user typesnumerical characters “01234 . . . 789” in the Text box 204 b and thenchooses a print pattern type, i.e. “2D Code” in the Character Data Typebox 204 d and a print pattern, i.e. QR Code, in the Type menu box 204 q.The arithmetical and logic unit 80 makes calculations based on theinformation thus specified to create a print pattern. The created printpattern appears in the form of 2D representation on the edit displaywindow 202. In this example, although the QC code is automaticallycreated as a print pattern according to information about a characterstring entered through the processing condition setting means 3C, anintended print pattern may be chosen from a set of print patterntemplates or importing an intended print pattern from other files andpasting it in the edit display window 202. In subsequent step S22,profile information is gained through the processing condition settingmeans 3C. Specifically, when enabling the 3D Setting tab 204 i of thePrint Pattern input input dialog box 204 shown in FIG. 14, a PrintCategory box 205 and the Profile menu box 206 appears as shown in FIG.37. Then, a column is chosen as an elemental profile In the Profiledialog box 205. As a result, the edit display windows 202 changes anobject from plane-shaped to column-shaped as shown in FIG. 38. Whenchanging the edit display window 202 to the 3D view mod, the columnarwork with the QR code laid thereon changes to 3D representation in theedit display window 202 as shown in FIG. 39. In this way, 3Drepresentation of a print patter appears in the edit display window 202in the 2D view modes by inputting print pattern information in step S21,and is subsequently converted into 3D representation in the same window202 but in the 3D view mode by inputting profile information in stepS22. The user can visually take a change in print pattern In theprocessing pattern creation sequence flowchart, the steps S21 and S22may be replaced with each other. Once processing data has been acquiredin the form of 3D spatial coordinate data, a fine adjustment is made inlayout and position in the Z-direction as appropriate. The fineadjustment can be achieved by the use of scroll bars or a mouse wheel.

The resultant laser processing once provided in the above sequence istransferred to the control unit 1A of the laser processing system shownin FIG. 12 when pressing Transfer Readout command button 215 below alower window border. In the memory of the control unit 1A, the laserprocessing data is expanded and overwritten.

The laser processing system performs printing based on the laserprocessing data. It is practicable to make test printing prior toactually printing in order to confirm whether printing is possible ornot and whether the print result will be good or bad. A plurality ofprinting patterns can be specified for one work surface or individuallyfor a plurality of work surfaces by repeating the same procedure.Further, a print patterns may be specified

The moving work printing follows procedural steps of (1) determining aprint pattern; (2) setting printing conditions for a moving plane work;(3) starting print; and (4) adding a moved distance of a work to X and Ycoordinates of the print pattern. The printing conditions for a movingplane work which include at least a moving direction, a movingcondition, and/or a printing area will be described in order below. InFIGS. 87A and 87B schematically showing the concept of moving workprinting in two dimensions, the plane work WP moves towards the right inthe drawing. In a Line Setting window 240 shown in FIG. 88 where amarking head is shown in plane and cross section, a Move Directiondialog box 241 is opened to let the user specify an X/Y direction and/ora Z direction of movement of the work WP. In this instance, a bearing ofa line and a moving direction of the line are chosen in the MoveDirection dialog box 241. The visual optionality of conditions makes theuser to easily gain an understanding of relative position between themarking head and a work, so as thereby to achieve setting withouterrors. In the case where a direction of a print pattern is orthogonalwith a moving direction of the marking head, an up or a down arrow ischosen in the Move Direction dialog box 241. The moving condition meansa control mode of work speed, namely an open loop control formaintaining the work speed constant or a feedback control and is achoice between the two.

The printable work surface area is defined by moving ranges of a scannercorrespondingly taken along X- and Y-axes of a plane coordinate system.The moving ranges of scanner is designed so that the coordinate planedisplayed in the edit display window 202 such as shown in FIGS. 14 and39 corresponds to a maximum printable work surface area. The user canautomatically define a printable work surface area by specifying a printpattern within the coordinate plane.

When specifying processing conditions for a moving plane, positional Xand Y coordinates of a laser beam after a start of printing a givenprint pattern can be calculated and it can be decided whether the laserbeam should be turned on or off at the individual positions. Thepositional coordinate of a laser beam is calculated by adding a movingdistance of a work in a moving direction to a coordinate of asubstantial point forming part of the print pattern in the movingdirection. In the example shown in FIG. 87A, since the work moves in anX-direction, the positional coordinate of a laser beam is calculated interms of X-direction and is left intact in terms of Y-direction. Themoving work printing is well suited for works which are rotating ormoving in three dimensions. In such a case, the moving work printingfollows the same procedural steps as the moving plane work printing.

FIG. 89 is an edit display window 202 with the Print Pattern inputdialog box 204 in which a Details Setting tab 204 j is enabled by theuser. The processing data generation means 80K described above isadapted to generate processing data based on processing conditionsspecified through the processing condition setting means 3C so as toturn out a basic condition for conformation of a focal point of a laserbeam to a work surface. However, it is possible to set a defocusdistance so that the laser beam is intentionally put out of focus on thework surface. The term “defocus distance” as used herein shall mean andrefer to an offset from a focal position of a laser beam or a distancebetween a focal point of a laser beam and a work surface. In the DetailsSetting dialog box, the user can specify a defocus distance which theuser wants in a Defocus box 204 o which is one of parameters boxesschematically denoted by 204 n. The laser beam is focused at the defocusdistance specified by the user above from a work surface if the defocusdistance is a negative value or below from a work surface if it is apositive value. It is also practicable to set other parameters such as aspot size of a laser beam on a work surface and a work material. At thistime of specifying one parameter, the processing conditions set by theuser are automatically changed according to the parameter. As aconsequence, the user can easily perform conditioning through analteration of a parameter which the user wants. As shown in FIG. 89, theparameters boxes 204 n include a Working Distance box, a Spot Side boxand a Material box. The working distance is inherent in an in-use laserprocessing machine and is automatically set depending upon it byordinary. The spot size is specified in percentage with respect to aspot size at a focal point. The work material is chosen from a pull-downMaterial menu 204 k appearing when the Material box is chosen. TheMaterial menu lists various processing purposes such as Steel Print inBlack and Stainless Print in Black, Resin Deposition and Rough Surface,besides various materials such as ABS Resin, Polycarbonate Resin andPhenol resin. Selection of a material induces coordination of powerdensity of the laser beam.

These parameters are dependent on one another. That is, when adjusting adefocus distance of a laser beam, power density and a spot size of thelaser beam varies correspondingly. Further, when choosing a workmaterial and a purpose of processing, appropriate power density isadjusted correspondingly and hence, a spot size or a defocus distance ofthe laser beam varies correspondingly. Therefore, if it was necessary toadjust power density of a laser power keeping the spot size of the laserbeam, the user is required to specify a desired spot size of the laserbeam, and besides adjusting parameters such as output power of the laserbeam and a scanning speed so as thereby to seek for an appropriatecombination of parameters which causes no change in the spot size of thelaser beam. The adjustment of parameters was performed by another trialand selected based on the result of actual laser processing of a worksurface, which is quite troublesome and consumes a lot of time.

In light of the above problem, the laser processing data setting system180 of the present embodiment has a relational data base in the form ofa look-up table 5 a, listing a number of records of parameters accordingto changes in individual parameters, in the memory device 5A (see FIG.13). When changing one of the parameters, an appropriate record isselected from the look-up table 5 a so as to set parameters of theselected record automatically. Accordingly, the processing conditionsetting is completed by changing only a parameter which the user wantsto change. For example, in the Details Setting dialog box opened in thePrint Pattern input dialog box 204 shown in FIG. 89, when specifyingeither a spot size or a work material, the remaining parameters in theDetails Setting dialog box are automatically corrected according to theparameter or the attribute which the user specified. Even if changing adefocus distance after a spot size or a work material is specified, theremaining parameters (for example, laser output power and a scanningspeed, etc.) are also corrected automatically so as to keep thespecified parameter, i.e. the spot size or the work material, unchanged.In this way, as the user is requested to change only a parameter whichthe user intends, a desired result is reached quite easily.

FIGS. 90A and 90B show processed patterns which are formed by varying aprocessing parameter continuously during laser processing. Morespecifically, FIG. 90A shows a processed work section of a work W1 onwhich a sloping groove KS is engraved, and FIG. 90B shows a processedwork surface W2 on which a logo LQ is printed in brushstroke. Theseprocessed patterns KS and LG are formed by varying a defocus distance ora barn spot of a laser beam continuously. The processing data generationmeans 80K adjusts the remaining parameters automatically following thecontinuous variation of the defocus distance so as to keep the remainingprocessing conditions unchanged. As a consequence, processing conditionswhich are not necessary to be changed remains unchanged.

FIG. 91 shows an edit display window 202 accompanied by a ContinuousProcessing dialog box for setting continuous laser processing. Whenchoosing a Continuous Processing check box, spin boxes appears to letthe user specify defocus distances or spot sizes in numeral value. Forexample, when after choosing a Defocus Distance check box, defocusdistances at start and end positions are specified in the spin boxes forstart and end positions, respectively. The defocus distance linearlyvaries in a specified range. It is practicable to specify a defocusdistance for either a start position or an end position, and anincreasing or a decreasing rate or a change by increment or decrement inplace of the defocus distance for a start position or an end position.When specifying defocus distances, spot sizes are correspondingly andautomatically specified in spin boxes in reference to the look-up table5 a in the memory device 5A. In this way, when having a choice betweenthe corresponding two, the other is automatically specified, so that theuser can change the processing conditions specified once by specifyingonly an intended parameter without focusing attention on dependencyrelations of the parameters. In the example shown in FIG. 56, the editdisplay window 202 and the 3D viewer window 260 display RSS•CC codesresponding to a choice of RSS & CC which the user specified in theCharacter Data Type box 204 d. In this instance, either an RSS code or acomposite code comprising an RSS code and a micro PDF code arrangedadjacently can be chosen in the Character Data Type spin box 204 d. Asthe composite code, RSS-24 CC-A has been chosen in the Type menu box 204q. In order to enable the user to enter a describe in the Text box 204 bwith ease, it is practicable to display a floating tool bar includingvarious tools, including special character code tools, externalcharacter tools and the like. As just described above, the processingdata generation means 80K enables the user to alter settings such as awork material, a processing pattern, a type of finish, a machining timeand the like by changing a beam size of a laser beam without restraint.The file of the processing data created according to parameters forprocessing conditions that once the user specified is saved under anindividual file name at any time. The processing data file is saved bychoosing a File menu to display a pull-down menu and then choosing SaveAs menu to open a File Save dialog box and entering a new file name in afile name box. The processing data file can be use when the same laserprocessing is applied to similar works. It is practicable to use variousdata files of all-to-common processing conditions which are providedpreviously.

As just described above, the basic process of the programmed laserprocessing data setting comprises setting a character string and itslayout as information about a two dimensional print pattern by use of auser interface for two dimensional setting, and thereafter setting threedimensional information and its layout for converting the twodimensional print pattern into a three dimensional print pattern by useof a user interface for three dimensional setting. Specifically,information about a print pattern such as a character string, a barcode,a two dimensional code, a user-defined graphic and the like and data ona plane layout of the print pattern such as a size, inclination of theindividual characters, line widths and the like are entered through theuser interface for two dimensional setting. This data entry can beachieved by directly specifying numerical values or by directly editingan object displayed in two dimensions on the display screen or windowthrough mouse operation. Subsequently, information about a threedimensional pattern and a layout is added to the two dimensional printpattern by use of the user interface for three dimensional setting. Inorder to specify a three dimensional profile, the 3D Setting tab 204 i(see FIG. 38) is opened. When specifying Column in the Profile menu box206, a print pattern is changed as attached to a columnar surface anddisplayed in plane as viewed from right above the columnar surface asshown in FIG. 38.

Transformation of the print pattern from a plane view to a threedimensional view is achieved as follows. In the case of a threedimensional object such as a columnar surface which is developable inplane, a print pattern such as a character string set in two dimensionsis regarded as being laid on a developed plane surface. When creating athree dimensional columnar surface from the developed plane view, it iseasily calculated which position the character string occupies in thethree dimensional work surface. Further, a front view of the threedimensional character string is gained by creating a representation viewof the columnar work surface with the character string laid thereonwhich is viewed infinitely right above from a surface to be printed andthen excluding information about all but the character string, i.e.about the columnar work surface, from the representation view of thecolumnar work surface. Not exclusively to this way, it is practicable toproject a print pattern set in two dimensions onto a three dimensionalsurface in a desired direction or to lay a print pattern set in twodimensions on a three dimensional surface in approximate mapping.

A layout of the print pattern set in three dimensions is adjusted by useof the user interface for three dimensional setting. The layoutadjustment is finely achieved by adjusting a position of the printpattern displayed in plane on the two dimensional view windowintuitively confirming a solid position of the print pattern on thethree dimensional view window. For the layout adjustment, information isentered to specify coordinates of a reference position of a basicprofile, an inclination of the basic profile, distances of charactersfrom the reference position of the basic profile. This information entrycan be achieved by directly specifying numerical values or by directlyediting an object (the print pattern) on a work surface displayed in twodimensions and/or three dimensions in the display screen or window.Examples of items which are possibly specified in the layout adjustmentinclude those listed in a table shown in FIG. 92.

The processing conditions include information about processing patternsand information about three dimensional profiles necessary to convert aprocessing pattern into a three-dimensional profile according to thework profiles. Examples of the processing pattern include characterstrings, graphics such as barcodes, two dimensional codes and logos. Inmass processing such as printing of pallets, it is preferred to involvevariable numbers such as a date of manufacture and a serial number in aprocessing pattern. Such a processing pattern applied to a work assurestraceability of the work.

FIGS. 93A and 93B are illustrations for explaining a tracking functionof the Z-axis scanner. In the laser processing system for threedimensionally scanning a work surface with a laser beam to print thework surface, the Z-axis scanner is enabled to move following movementof X-axis and Y-axis scanners by correlating a Z coordinate with X and Ycoordinates. Taking printing a quadrangular pyramidal work shown in FIG.93A, a Z coordinate of a position on an oblique plane is correlated withX and Y coordinates of the position which is represented by a cell of acorrelation chart shown in FIG. 93B. The Z-axis scanner can operate tomove a laser beam spot to a Z coordinate which is automaticallydetermined according to operation of the X-axis and Y-axis scannersfollowing the correlation defined by the correlation chart. In general,a Z-axis scanner is apt to be inferior in responsiveness to X-axis andY-axis scanners due to a mechanical difference from the X-axis andY-axis scanners. In other words, the Z-axis scanner takes too long tocomplete scan operation after receiving an instruction of scan ascompared with the X-axis and Y-axis scanners. Therefore, when causingthe Z-axis scanner to follow up the X-axis and Y-axis scanners, thereoccurs a waiting time until the Z-axis scanner completes its scanoperation or it is necessary to reduce speeds of response of the X-axisand Y-axis scanners, so that, in any case, it takes a comparatively longtime to complete printing.

For that reason, in this embodiment, the Z-axis scanner trackingfunction is enabled not regularly but only as needed. Specifically, asshown in FIGS. 94A and 94B, the Z-axis scanner is caused to operate asindicated by a heavy solid line and arrows according to the correlationdefined by the correlation chart during substantive printing and,however, stays in a position to hold the laser beam spot at a fixed Zcoordinate as indicated by a heavy broken line and an arrow during aninterruption of printing. As a consequence, the Z-axis scannerdiscontinues its operation during operation of the X-axis and Y-axisscanners during an interruption of printing, so that, since the X-axisand Y-axis scanners are allowed to operate at their potential speeds, anoverall printing time is shortened. For example, it is practicable tooutput a Z coordinate correlated with X and Y coordinates duringsubstantive printing and a fixed Z coordinate independent from X and Ycoordinates. The Z-axis scanner may remains unchanged in position so asto retain the laser beam spot at a Z coordinate at completion of thelast printing or may operate so as to return the laser beam spot to aspecific Z coordinate such as a Z coordinate upon activation of thelaser marking system, a lowest or a highest Z-coordinate duringprinting. Otherwise, the Z-axis scanner may operate so as to move thelaser beam spot to a Z-coordinate for initiation of subsequent printing.This enables the scanning device to ensure a smooth start of scanningoperation.

FIG. 95 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence of Z-axis scanneroperation. When operating the Z-axis scanner so as to move a laser beamspot from a position P1 (Xa, Ya, Za) to a position P2 (Xb, Yb, Zb) (seeFIG. 96A), a judgment is made in step S′1 as to whether irradiation of alaser beam is effected. When the answer is negative or NO, the Z-axisscanner operates so as to move the laser beam spot along a path definedby Z-coordinates correlated to X and Y coordinates in step S′2. Morespecifically, the Z-axis scanner operates so as to move the laser beamspot from a Z coordinate Za to a Z coordinate a along a heavy solid lineshown in FIG. 96A following operation of the X and Y scanners formovement of the laser beam spot from X and Y coordinates Xa and Ya to Xand Y coordinates Xb and Yb, respectively. On the other hand, when theanswer to the judgment in step S′1 is affirmative or YES, the controllogic proceeds to step S′3 where the Z-axis scanner remains stationaryso as there by to allow the laser beam spot to move directly from a Zcoordinate Za to a Z coordinate a along a heavy broken line shown inFIG. 97A while the X and Y scanners operates so as to position the laserbeam spot at X and Y coordinates Xb and Yb, respectively, whenirradiation of a laser beam is resumed for subsequent printing. In thisway, the Z-axis scanner is prevented from unnecessarily operating and,as a consequence, the X-axis and Y-axis scanners can operate at highspeeds correspondingly.

It is to be understood that although the present invention has beendescribed with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, various otherembodiments and variants may occur to those skilled in the art, whichare within the scope and spirit of the invention, and such otherembodiments and variants are intended to be covered by the followingclaims.

1. A laser processing system for processing a work surface within aworking area with a predetermined processing pattern by the use of alaser beam, said laser processing system comprising: a laser generatingdevice for generating a laser beam for processing; a scanning device forscanning a work surface with said laser beam within a two-dimensionalscanning area which is defined as a working area by a scannable extentof said scanning device; said scanning device comprising; a beamexpander for varying a distance at which said laser beam generated bysaid laser generating device is focused; a first scanner for deflectingsaid laser beam coming from said beam expander in a first direction toscan said work surface within said scanning area in said firstdirection; and a second scanner for deflecting said laser beam reflectedby said first scanner in a second direction perpendicular to said firstdirection to scan said work surface within said scanning area in saidsecond direction; a control section for controlling said lasergenerating device and said scanning device so as to process said worksurface based on laser processing conditions; a processing patternsetting section for setting as said laser processing conditions aprocessing pattern and a position of said processing pattern within saidtwo-dimensional scanning area; a two-dimensional display device fordisplaying said two-dimensional scanning area and said processingpattern in two-dimensions positioned at said position within saidscanning area and set by the processing pattern setting section; a worksetting section for setting as said laser processing conditions athree-dimensional profile of said work surface, said three-dimensionalprofile being selected from a plurality of predetermined elementalprofiles; a data generating section for generating laser processing datafor said work surface based on said laser processing conditions set bysaid processing pattern setting and work setting sections; and athree-dimensional display device for displaying said scanning area inthree-dimensions as well as said three-dimensional profile of said worksurface superimposed on said scanning area based on data representingsaid processing pattern and said position of said processing pattern setby said processing pattern setting section and said three-dimensionalprofile of said work surface set by said work setting section.
 2. Thelaser processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein the datagenerating section is provided with coordinate conversion section forconverting coordinate data of said processing pattern fromtwo-dimensional plane coordinate data to three-dimensional spatialcoordinate data so as to make the processing pattern virtually fit thethree-dimensional profile.
 3. The laser processing system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of predetermined elemental profilesinclude at least a column-shaped profile, a cone-shaped profile and asphere-shaped profile.
 4. The laser processing system as defined inclaim 1, wherein said work setting section specifies either one of innerand outer sides of said profile of said work surface for processing. 5.The laser processing system as defined in claim 1, wherein saidthree-dimensional display device is capable of displaying said worksurface in three dimensions selectively in an X-Y coordinate plane, aY-Z coordinate plane, a Y-Z coordinate plane and a Z-X coordinate plane.6. The laser processing system as defined in claim 1, and furthercomprising position changing section for shifting a position of saidwork surface and said processing pattern integrally with said worksurface within said scanning area displayed in said three-dimensionaldisplay device.
 7. The laser processing system as defined in claim 1,wherein said work setting section is capable of setting an angle ofrotation of said work surface with respect to each axis ofthree-dimensional coordinate system of said three-dimensional displaydevice and said three-dimensional display device displays said worksurface after a rotation through said angle of rotation.
 8. The laserprocessing system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising viewpoint changing section for rotating said scanning area displayed in twodimensions so as thereby to change a view point of a three-dimensionaldisplay on said three-dimensional display device.
 9. The laserprocessing system as defined in claim 8, wherein said three-dimensionaldisplay device shows a three-dimensional display of a direction ofradiation of said laser beam.
 10. The laser processing system as definedin claim 1, further comprising size setting section for varying a sizeof said work surface displayed within said scanning area on saidthree-dimensional display device.
 11. The laser processing system asdefined in claim 1, wherein said processing pattern setting section iscapable of collectively setting a plurality processing patterns in agroup and also setting as said laser processing conditions each saidprocessing pattern and a position of each individual said processingpattern.
 12. The laser processing system as defined in claim 11, whereinsaid work setting section is capable of setting as said laser processingconditions a three-dimensional profile of said work surface according toeach individual said processing pattern.
 13. A laser processing datasetting system for setting processing data based on a processing patternwith which a laser processing system having scanning device processes awork surface within a working area, which is a scanning area defined inone direction by a first scannable extent of said scanning device and inanother direction orthogonal with said one direction by a secondscannble extent of said scanning device, based on laser processingconditions with a laser beam, said laser processing data setting systemcomprising: a control section for controlling said laser generatingdevice and said scanning device so as to process said work surface basedon the laser processing conditions; a processing pattern setting sectionfor setting as said laser processing conditions a processing pattern anda position of said processing pattern within said two-dimensionalscanning area; a two-dimensional display device for displaying saidtwo-dimensional scanning area and said processing pattern intwo-dimensions positioned at said position within said scanning area andset by the processing pattern setting section; a work setting sectionfor setting as said laser processing conditions a three-dimensionalprofile of said work surface, said three-dimensional profile beingselected from a plurality of predetermined elemental profiles; a datagenerating section for generating laser processing data for said worksurface based on said laser processing conditions set by said processingpattern setting and work setting sections; and a three-dimensionaldisplay device for displaying said scanning area in three-dimensions aswell as said three-dimensional profile of said work surface superimposedon said scanning area based on data representing said processing patternand said position of said processing pattern set by said processingpattern setting section and said three-dimensional profile of said worksurface set by said work setting section.